I talk about having all of the balloon books you can in your library. There is a new book out and our friend, Tom McConnell gave me a copy just in time for Fiesta. It is called: Images of Modern American, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta by Tom, Dick Brown, John Davis, Charlotte Kinney, Dick Rice, John Sena, Kim Vesely, and with cooperation of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Heritage Committee. The book is by Arcadia Publishing.

I do like Arcadia because they document all of the special interest topics and places in the United States. Without their books a lot of our history would be lost. Having a little inside information, I know that Arcadia first approached AIBF about doing a book years ago and wanted to do it all black & white. That just wouldn’t work for one of the most colorful events known. So it took a while and it does add cost to the book, but it is now in color.

Each year, AIBF has official photographers take thousands of photos of the event and except for a few photos, the public really doesn’t see them. So this is a good chance.

Tom, Dick Brown and Kim were part of the gang of four with Paul Rhetts, who put together and wrote The World Comes to Albuquerque for the 40th anniversary of Fiesta. That book, in my mind is still the greatest book. But it has sold out.

So before you go to Fiesta READ UP! These also make great gifts. You can never have too many balloon books!

- Barbe Awalt