It’s a special time of year in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of the highlights New Mexico has to offer. Each year, seniors and young people alike enjoy clear, crisp fall mornings with colorful hot air balloons filling the sky. It’s the bright splashes of color that makes the high desert landscape come alive. If you are new to the area or if you are a New Mexico Native, you’ll be equally excited this year as the balloon fiesta unfolds.

What to know. This year, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is scheduled to take place October 1-9, 2022. You can participate in the events the fiesta has to offer, or you can just sit back and enjoy watching the balloons from your retirement home patio. Rio Rancho and Albuquerque both have fantastic views. If you live in a senior community, find out if your community offers planned outings to enjoy the fiesta. Enjoying the fiesta with your neighbors can help you make new friends, or you’ll be able to connect with old ones. The advantage of living in a neighborhood of likeminded seniors!

Things to do. Do you enjoy photography? This is the time of year to get your cameras out! Cell phone cameras these days have come a long way in quality so be sure to bring yours along so you can easily share your photos on social media or by text. And if you’re inspired by art, the fall landscapes here offer so much beauty to capture. You’ll quickly come to realize why New Mexico is call the “Land of Enchantment”! If you’re active and enjoy the outdoors, morning walks along the Rio Grande are also quite enjoyable while taking in the breathtaking scenery and balloons.

Early mornings and evenings can be chilly now in our high desert climate, so be sure to pull out some jackets to have handy and perhaps a cozy blanket to wrap around you as you enjoy watching the balloons outdoors. A hot cup of coffee is a wonderful way to keep you feeling warm as well! And if you have a friend or family member in an assisted living or nursing home, you can help bring the excitement of the season to them. If they are still able to spend a short amount of time outdoors, plan to have breakfast with them and then pop outdoors to look up at the morning sky! If your loved one is unable to take a peek outside, you can share pictures with them. Many long-time residents have enjoyed the balloon fiesta for years and would likely appreciate still being able to participate in some small way.

Enjoy this special season here in New Mexico. As a senior, retirement can offer you the time to do the things you’ve always wanted to. And having a home in an adult community can offer seniors extra opportunities for social engagement as well as community activities planned just for you. Such as watching the balloons soar by together. Don’t miss out on the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta this year!