Visitors are invited to the 300th birthday party of Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2006. The city was founded in April 1706 by a group of colonists who were granted permission by King Philip of Spain to establish a new villa (city) on the banks of the Rio Grande River.
Albuquerque is planning a series of events to celebrate.
From April 2005 through October 2006, the city will host fiestas, reenactments, grand openings, new exhibits, cultural heritage and much more. The April 16, 2005, opening celebration will kick off the tricentennial festivities at Balloon Fiesta Park with a balloon mass ascension, music, a Parade of Eras, a dove release and a torch relay to light a tricentennial flame. The Tricentennial Half Marathon will also take place on April 16th beginning at the Coronado State Monument near Bernalillo, NM with the runners finishing near the opening ceremony at Balloon Fiesta Park.
One of the tricentennial highlights is the opening of the new 8,000 sq. ft. Albuquerque Museum of Art and History expansion. The museum's new gallery will feature three exhibits from Spain, which feature work by famous Spanish masters.
In June 2005, the International Festival Flamenco and the Festival Folklorico will feature ballet performances and workshops. During August 2005, cuisine month, events will feature a chile roasting competition, a chili cook-off and a ristra-stringing contest.
October 2005, sports month, features the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® on September 30th-October 9th as well as competitions between the United States, Mexico and Spain including a US versus Spain rugby match.
