Mass Ascension: When Hundreds of Balloons Rise Together

Of all the Balloon Fiesta's spectacles, none matches the Mass Ascension. On weekend mornings, hundreds of balloons inflate and lift off in carefully choreographed waves, and spectators are allowed to wander the launch field among them as the sky slowly fills with color.

On the field, in the middle of it

Unlike almost any other major event, here you stand right among the action — dodging baskets, feeling the heat of the burners, watching crews wrestle envelopes upright. Then, wave by wave, the balloons rise all around and above you.

You're not watching from a distance — you're standing in the middle of the sky filling up.

The zebras and the waves

Launch directors in striped 'zebra' referee shirts manage the flow, releasing balloons in coordinated groups for safety. The staggered timing means the sky fills gradually, giving you a full hour of steadily building wonder.

The light does half the work

Timed to sunrise, the ascension unfolds as the desert glows gold, backlighting the balloons and setting their colors ablaze. Photographers rate it among the most rewarding scenes in the country.

Field notes

• Held on Fiesta weekend mornings, weather permitting.
• Wander the field early, before the launch waves begin.
• Watch your step — burners and baskets are all around you.

By the time the last balloon clears the field, the sun is fully up and your neck aches from looking skyward. Nobody who has stood through a Mass Ascension ever quite forgets it.