This week on What's Up Wednesday, it's an expanded edition as we celebrate number 250! We've got the first Pin of the Month for 2026–27, more merchandise returning from the field, some special Chuck Jones items, and a little something to mark this milestone.
Today, What's Up Wednesday reaches a pretty special milestone: 250 editions! That's 250 consecutive weeks of product news, insider information, sales, deals, and more. Nearly five years of keeping you up to date on what's happening at Balloon Fiesta Stuff.
Each week, our merchandise team decides which products to feature, what sales and special offers to put together, and what's coming in the weeks ahead. Then it's turned over to the host of Balloon Fiesta Live!, Art Lloyd Jr., to put the words and images together into the email you receive each Wednesday. Once it's written, proofed, and approved, it's scheduled to go out at 6 a.m. Mountain Time. We see orders being placed within minutes of its release, even though delivery to our subscribers takes place over a four-hour window!
We want to take this opportunity to thank you for being a What's Up Wednesday subscriber and a supporter of Balloon Fiesta Stuff. As we look ahead to the next 250 editions, we're always interested in hearing what you think about the weekly email. You can reply to this email anytime and let us know what's on your mind. We really do appreciate hearing from you. Thanks again for being part of the journey!
Now, on to this week's Stuff!
It's the first Wednesday in November, and that means it's time for a new Pin of the Month! This month also marks the beginning of our second series. Just like last year, the collection features fantasy balloons representing each month of the year. For November, Mr. Turkey and the Pumpkin take center stage.
We'll release a new Pin of the Month on the first Wednesday of every month. Last year, several months sold out quickly, so don't wait too long if you want to collect the entire series. We also created complete sets of last year's pins in a special shadow box display, and those are still available. Shadow boxes are available for this year's collection, too. Pick one up along with your first Pin of the Month for 2026–27, and stay subscribed to What's Up Wednesday for your monthly reminder when the next pin arrives!
If you were on the field during this year's Balloon Fiesta, you probably noticed, and hopefully visited, our new mega-sized Official Merchandise tent. Inside, we featured a special collection of Chuck Jones merchandise. Chuck was the legendary animator behind many of the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes characters we all know and love. His artwork was also featured in the posters leading up to the 50th Balloon Fiesta. We didn't sell out of everything during the event, so we're bringing the remaining items online for the first time!
One of Bugs Bunny's most famous lines is, "I knew I should have made that left turn at Albuquerque!" And now there's a pin celebrating that classic line. It features a left-turn road sign, the City of Albuquerque sign, and a hot air balloon floating in the background. You can help direct Bugs, and everyone else you meet, to Albuquerque by proudly displaying this pin! There's also a matching black short-sleeve T-shirt featuring the pin design on the back, with the words "I knew I should of..." on the front left chest.
We also have two Rikki-Tikki-Tavi T-shirts. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is the mongoose from Rudyard Kipling's story in The Jungle Book, brought to life in a 1975 animated television special created by Chuck Jones. One shirt is aqua, featuring Rikki and balloons with the message, "Look who's back in Albuquerque!" The other is a black T-shirt with colorful panels, also announcing Rikki's return to Albuquerque.
A tip for those of you in the Albuquerque area: there are even more Chuck Jones T-shirts and pins available in our physical Gift Shop. Stop by and check them out!
And finally, in celebration of What's Up Wednesday #250, we've put our America 250 Spirit Jersey on sale! This officially licensed America 250 commemorative item combines patriotic pride with the magic of hot air balloons. The relaxed-fit jersey features a large silver Balloon Fiesta graphic across the back, complete with silver glitter, and the classic styling that makes Spirit Jerseys so popular. It's a great way to celebrate both America's 250th birthday and your love of Balloon Fiesta.
Looking ahead, pilot clothing, gifts and pins are coming next week, followed by Navigator clothing the week after. Then it's time to start getting ready for our big December Sale, beginning Saturday, December 5. We'll have more details as we get closer!
As always, thanks for your support of Balloon Fiesta and Balloon Fiesta Stuff. And don't forget to forward this email to your fellow Balloon Fiesta fans!