BALLOON FIESTA provides an up-close and personal view of one of the most colorful events in the world. Crews equipped with high-definition cameras captured the mass ascensions, thrilling competitions and interesting characters of the 2008 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Against the backdrop of Albuquerque's beautiful Sandia Mountains and Rio Grande, the Fiesta comes alive as event-goers gather to watch pilot competitions, special-shape balloons (including one fashioned to look like Darth Vader), evening "glowdeos" and morning dawn patrols.