This week on What's Up Wednesday, a new balloon item, and a preview of this year's tickets.
As you would expect, we're always on the lookout for balloon-related items to put in our shop and this week, we have a new balloon-shaped ornament. Made of acrylic these see thru items come in multiple colors and 2 sizes. As you rotate the balloon, the color seems to morph into a complementary shade. The large ones are about 4 inches tall and have an acrylic basket hanging from the balloon. The small ones are about an inch and a half, and a charm hanging below the basket. Your choose your color/charm on the small ones. The large ones we'll choose for you due to the subtle color change. Unless of course, you drop into the physical gift shop, where you can pick out exactly the one you like best.
By the way, some of you have mentioned that when you check out our new items, sometimes you see a "low" inventory notice and wonder, "How can that be? These are supposed to be brand new." There are two reasons this can happen. First, we're stocking both the gift shop and online. Thus the available inventory is split between these two locations. Online is just reporting what's in stock online. As items sell in one location or another, we adjust the inventory available. The other situation is that we are "testing the waters" to see if a product is something you're interested in. If it sells quickly, we'll order more and restock as soon as possible. As a non-profit organization, we have to carefully balance what and how many of what we order against what we predict will be popular. Thanks for asking.
In just 9 days we'll be at 6 months til the start of the 2025 Balloon Fiesta. And that 6-month mark is when all the tickets go on sale. This includes the Gondola Club, Chasers' Club, Glamping, Camp 505, Park and Ride, and General Admission. Remember there is no Music Fiesta this year. The Gondola Club, Chasers' Club, and Glamping tend to sell out quickly. Especially the weekend and evening sessions.
For General Admission tickets, we don't sell out. So there's no hurry to obtain them and we have some additional options for you. First, for New Mexico residents, Monday will be New Mexico Day again this year. Free admission to NM residents who show proof of residency at the ticket booth that morning. Everyone can obtain General Admission tickets online. There is a processing fee and you will receive an email with your tickets. Here at Balloon Fiesta Stuff, we'll have printed "souvenir tickets" for sale, both online and in the Gift Shop. Balloon Fiesta Stuff (online) will have 4 packs of these hard tickets. No processing fee, but you will be charged a shipping fee. We're firming up the details, but the best option will be to include these tickets with another item from the store. More on this next week. And if you can come by the Gift Shop during regular business hours, you'll be able to purchase these same physical tickets and if you buy 4 or more, they will be discounted from $15 to $13 with no processing or shipping fees.
Consider this your 9-day warning to make some plans. All these tickets go on sale Friday, April 4th at 9 AM Mountain Daylight Time. Be quick for the popular venues and take your time on General Admission tickets. We'll review this again and provide more details and links next week here on What's Up Wednesday.
Until then, thanks for your support of Balloon Fiesta and Balloon Fiesta Stuff.