This week on What's Up Wednesday, an oops, a heads up, and how to spend that tax refund.
We hate to bring it up, but today is Tax Day in the United States. Hopefully, you managed things well enough to get a refund. Regardless of your tax situation, you're going to want to check out the first of our official 2026 Balloon Fiesta collectables.
It's the Event Pin and Patch
Inspired by the centennial of historic Route 66, this vibrant design captures the magic of ballooning against the backdrop of the American Southwest. At the center, the beloved New Mexico roadrunner dashes across a stylized desert landscape, symbolizing motion, exploration, and the journey itself. Behind it, a colorful array of hot air balloons fills the sky, evoking the awe of mass ascensions at Balloon Fiesta Park.
The pin and patch weave in Route 66 heritage with a classic highway sign, tying together the nostalgia of the Mother Road with the wonder of flight. Rich sunset tones and layered desert mesas create depth and warmth, reflecting the unique beauty of Albuquerque skies during Fiesta week.
By the way, you'll be joining an elite group of collectors when you pick up the event pin. The 2026 Event pin will be included in two national time capsules later this year. One through America 250 that will open in 250 years and one through Arizona, that will be opened in 75 years. Balloon Fiesta, and the 2026 Event Pin, were chosen to represent NM in both. Don't wait for the time capsules to be opened, get your pin today! 😉
Last week, we introduced the new Floral Spirit Jersey and then promptly sent you to an unreleased and upcoming version of the jersey instead of the Floral one. We're sorry. Hopefully, you figured out how to use the link in the upcoming product description or did a search for the Floral one. We were just in a hurry to get the first in what you now know is a line of Balloon Fiesta Spirit Jerseys.
If you spend much time on the internet, you no doubt have noticed websites and other online activities moving away from passwords to a more secure login process. Balloon Fiesta Stuff is about to join the club and make the switch as well. Coming soon, we'll be upgrading the user accounts portion of Balloon Fiesta Stuff. We're about to start testing the new system in the next week or so, and while we plan to do the testing at a time when you're not usually shopping, you may get "lucky" and get to try the new experience while we're checking things out. That's us testing to make sure that it works, and we know how to support you when we do implement the change. We'll continue to update you via What's Up Wednesday and banners on the home page to give you a heads up about the change. For now, just know that it's coming, and in the next week or so, you may see us testing stuff online.
Thanks for your support of Balloon Fiesta and Balloon Fiesta Stuff.