Betty Housholder arranged for the Tin Lizzies to to make our annual appearance at the world renowned Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Sunday, October 5th.  The day before (Saturday) had seen numerous traffic jams and huge crowds so everyone driving a T this Sunday was prepared for the worse.  Surprisingly, the traffic was manageable and the attendance much lighter than the previous day, which was the first day of the two week fiesta.

The first arrivals were Betty and Michael Housholder who had left their cars at the museum the previous night.  In addition to Betty’s 1921 coupe and Michael’s 1924 pickup, Mark and Sharon Dominguez brought their 1927 touring, Gabe and Samantha Sanchez drove the family’s 1923 roadster, Neil O’Brien in his very popular 1920 Luverne fire truck, Steve and Denise Suttle arrived in their 1925 coupe, Bill and Donna Hansen brought their 1924 touring car, Paul and Marilyn Duncan in their 1920 touring car, Stan and Janice Gauna in their 1917 depot hack, Larry and Lorna Azevedo with son-in-law Luke in their 1912 touring car.  In addition to the Tin Lizzies members, we were joined by Apache Junction, AZ resident Joe Fellin, past President of the Model T Ford Club of America (MTFCA) and 2014 recipient of the prestigious Rosenthal Award.  We were very happy Joe was in the Albuquerque area to attend his first Balloon Fiesta!

Tin Lizzies at the Balloon Fiesta Mark, Dave, Marilyn, Laura, and Michael Tin Lizzies with the Balloon Museum in the background Kids enjoying the O’Brien’s 1920 Luverne fire truck Paul, Mark, and Marilyn with the Duncan’s 1920 touring car Stan showing a young enthusiast how to honk the horn Steve Suttle’s 1925 coupe, the Hansen’s touring car, and Betty Housholder’s 1921 coupe The Azevedo’s 1912 touring car being photographed A view toward the balloon field The Duncan’s 1920 Model T touring car The Tin Lizzies at the Balloon Fiesta Marilyn, Paul, Bernice, and Joe Mayor Richard Berry and Stan Trey, David, Marilyn, Kari, and Stan Dave , Larry, and Mayor Berry Gabe, Samantha, and Sharon Michael, Joe, and Neil Our Tin Lizzies Janice, Gabe, and Reina Steve Suttle and Bill Hansen discussing their cars trying out Stan’s 1917 depot hack Neil and Michael Luke with Larry and Lorna’s 1912 Model T touring car Neil explaining the history of his 1920 Luverne fire truck Bernice and Joe Larry, Luke, and Lorna Larry at the wheel of his 1912 Model T touring car Steve and Denise in their 1925 coupe Donna and Bill Hansen driving home in their 1924 Model T touring car

The weather was noticeably warmer than in previous years and the day started out very promising. Sadly, there was just enough wind to prevent the balloons from launching.  The most they could do was to inflate on the ground.  The Tin Lizzies may have benefited from this disappointing ballooning day as we had a steady stream of visitors admiring our cars.  Among these Model T admirers was Albuquerque’s Mayor – Richard Berry!  The Tin Lizzies had met Mayor Berry previously as he presided over a sign dedication for the historic Kimo Theater in June 2011 where the Tin Lizzies parked in front of the theater to recreate the building’s opening in 1927.

Our thanks to Betty for organizing this event and let’s hope that we’ll see balloons in the sky next year!