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Wells Fargo Special Shape Rodeo™
Balloon Fiesta Park 10/12 7:00am - 8:00am
Special shape balloons are definedas any balloon that doesn't conform strictly to the normal rounded balloon shape.
Some shapes are simple - pointed ears and whiskers added to a "regular" balloon to make it into a kitty's head. Others - the flying houses, cars, cacti, ristras, bottles, cans, critters, and so on - are computer-designed engineering marvels costing tons of money. The very first shapes appeared at Balloon Fiesta in the 1970s, and became increasingly common - and crowd favorites - in the 1980's. In 1989, the Balloon Fiesta created the Special Shapes Rodeo to specially showcase these incredible creations. The special shapes events now include mass ascensions on the Thursday and Friday mornings of Balloon Fiesta, and the "Glowdeo" - a shapes-only glow - on Thursday and Friday evenings.
Mass Ascensions - a launch of all the participating balloons - have been a feature of Balloon Fiesta since its earliest days and is the most spectacular display of sound and color in all of aviation.
During mass ascensions, balloons launch in two waves. Launch directors, also known as "zebras" because of their black-and-white-striped outfits,serve as "traffic cops," coordinating the launch so balloons leave the field in a safe and coordinated manner. Weather permitting, balloons begin to launch at about 7:15 AM on mass ascension days, led by a balloon flying the American flagto the strains of "The Star Spangled Banner." For more information, please visit http://balloonfiesta.com
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