ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

The Darth Vader balloon, a fan favorite at the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for nearly two decades, faces an uncertain future as its fabric deteriorates, prompting efforts to keep the tradition alive.

Beniot Lambert, who has been flying the "Star Wars" special shapes since 2007, said, "So the balloon is 19 years old. The fabric starts to behold. So we are planning a way to continue the story."

Lambert noted the toll time has taken on the balloon, saying, "You can see it start to behold because the fabric starts to be deflated on the neck. But it's part of the process."

Despite the challenges, the crew is determined to rebuild the balloon, recognizing its significance beyond just being a balloon.

"We have 100 troopers around my balloons," Lambert said.

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