Mass Ascension
October 8th, 2025
Writer: Addie Siembieda
Editor: Anne Marie Martinez
Fall in the desert doesn’t look quite the same as it does in the Midwest. A New Mexico autumn is not defined by falling leaves, but by rising hot air balloons. Each October, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta attracts a million visitors to watch hundreds of hot air balloons ascend. The balloons can be seen dotting the sky from every corner of the city.
Mass Ascension is the official name of the morning lift-off. As far back as I can remember, my family would pick one day of the week to wake up at 3 in the morning, braving the traffic to arrive at the launching grounds before the sun came up This tradition hasn’t stopped since I moved across the country for college – I’m lucky enough that my fall break lines up with the final weekend of the fiesta.
The first balloons to go up are the dawn patrol at about 5:30 AM. The 12 balloons are responsible for making sure that weather conditions are favorable and that there’s enough light to see the landing spots from the sky. Once the dawn patrol gives the all-clear, Mass Ascension is set to begin.
The waiting and the anticipation are always the longest part of the morning. Once we’ve stood in the long lines for our coffees and breakfast burritos, my family and I wander in the dark for a place to sit and eat, always keeping our eyes on the skies.
As the sun begins to rise, so do the balloons. Balloonists lay out their envelopes and baskets. A balloon can take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes to inflate, so every inch of the field is covered with balloons, chase crew, and guests, fortunate enough to bask in the action. Slowly but surely, dozens of balloons of all shapes and sizes are scattered across the ground and sky; a spectacle that makes the early rise well worth it.
Mass Ascension isn’t a race, it’s a demonstration. If every balloon were to lift off at the same time, it would be chaos. If a large, special-shaped balloon tried to inflate as quickly as a small balloon, the passengers would be at risk. There is a certain serenity in the waiting.
It’s easy to compare my timeline to everyone else's – even people who have completely different goals than I do. From internships to relationships to starting on assignments, it feels like everyone has it figured out, and I’m left grounded, eagerly awaiting my chance to ascend.
Mass Ascension reminds me to be patient: my timeline doesn’t need to match anyone else’s for the view to be beautiful. Just like the balloons, I will find my way into the sky when the time is right for me, and there will still be plenty of room at the top.
