Albuquerque wraps up annual International Balloon Fiesta

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (NBC, KYMA) - The annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta came to a colorful close Sunday.

It was the 54th annual celebration for hot air balloon enthusiasts from around the world.

Thousands of visitors braced the traffic Sunday morning for a rather quiet end to this year's Balloon Fiesta.

There was some optimism for an eighth morning of flying, and at one point, there was a green flag on the field.

However, growing wind conditions eventually forced organizers to raise the yellow flag, grounding any hope for one last mass ascension before next year's fiesta.

A few dozen balloons still inflated on the ground for static display, including Finley the Turtle, the Duke City Redi Mix cement truck balloon, and even La Ristra.

Chopper4 caught the full display as the sun peeked over the Sandia Mountains, but the show didn't last long though as most balloons started deflating by 8:30 p.m. Mountain, marking an end to the 54th Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

"We're so excited that at least we had a static display, we're ending strong, and it was a really really great fiesta in terms of weather and attendance," said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller.

More than 550 total balloons, seven mornings of flying, and plenty of balloon glows, delighting the hundreds of thousands of visitors, and creating millions of new memories.

"You know this one was very consistent, first off, which was good, we have a really good experience for folks, kind of no matter they went to," Mayor Keller expressed.

Now, the City of Albuquerque is looking ahead to 2027.