The balloons are back

This weekend, 543 balloon pilot teams who will descend with their aircrafts on New Mexico for the upcoming week’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which is considered the world’s largest annual hot air balloon event.

The tradition, being celebrated for the 52nd time this year, is considered a world-class festivity, bringing balloon enthusiasts and pilots from around the globe for a week forecasters say is looking mostly clear.

Organizers say this year’s revelries are largely unchanged from the formula of past years.

Pick up Sunday's paper for live coverage of the balloon launch as well as a story taking a look on the economic impact of the giant event, which reaches north from Albuquerque to Santa Fe.

It's about dam time

An earthen dam near Chimayó — wh

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