The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is set to begin on Saturday, with new safety measures in place to accommodate the expected 900,000 attendees over nine days.

"This event is literally bigger than the Kentucky Derby. It is bigger than the Super Bowl, and we do it for nine days," Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said at a Wednesday news conference.

There are several changes implemented at Balloon Fiesta Park ahead of the 2025 event, including a high-speed fiber optic loop for faster connectivity, benefiting both photo sharing and law enforcement.

Additionally, 46 new power pedestals have been installed for the vendor row, addressing previous electrical issues.

For the first time, real bathrooms will be available. They feature four family restrooms, 32 stalls for men, and 36 for wo

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