This week on What's Up Wednesday, we've got new patches, a cozy blanket, and another great shirt for Balloon Fiesta season.
Right up there with pin collecting is collecting patches, and we have two new ones for you today: the Special Shapes Patch and the Mass Ascension Patch. These are the newest additions to our 4-inch patch collection. The Special Shapes Patch features Splash Duck, Como Se Llama, and Gordon the Gecko, just like its companion pin. The Mass Ascension Patch also matches its companion pin, featuring the iconic Route 66 road sign and the Mother Road winding through Balloon Fiesta Park with balloons on the ground and filling the sky. Collect the set and have them sewn onto your favorite jacket or vest so you'll be ready for the 54th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®.
One of our most popular items over the past few years has been our fleece blanket, and this year's version is no exception. This soft, cream-colored blanket features our large Scenic Route design. Its medium weight and generous 59 x 70-inch size are perfect for those chilly Dawn Patrol mornings or after a Balloon Glow™. Of course, it'll also bring back warm Balloon Fiesta memories every time you wrap up in it this winter.
You just can't have enough T-shirts, especially long-sleeve shirts for those cool ballooning mornings. Our latest is the Postcard from the Road Tee. It's dark blue with white accent stripes down the sleeves. The front features balloon artwork along with three full-color "postcards" highlighting the Scenic Route logo, the competition truck, and balloons inflating during Mass Ascension. On the back is a small Balloon Fiesta® logo near the neckline. And, like all official AIBF merchandise, it proudly carries the AIBF oval, verifying its authenticity.
Finally, just a reminder for all you procrastinators out there. The $3 discount on General Admission tickets purchased in person at the Gift Shop ends one week from Friday. And Labor Day is the final day to order four-packs of General Admission tickets online. After that, you'll need to visit the Gift Shop, order e-tickets online, or purchase your tickets at the box office on the day you attend.
September arrives next week, and that means it's time for another Pin of the Month. We'll reveal September's pin and give you an exclusive sneak peek at October's, completing the entire 2026 Pin of the Month series.
Thanks for your support of Balloon Fiesta Stuff and Balloon Fiesta.