“Rainbow Ryders would not be what Rainbow Ryders is without the city of Albuquerque and the Balloon Fiesta,” he said. In 2021, Rainbow Ryders flew more than 45,000 passengers.

But for nearly four decades, Scott Appelman, the founder and owner of Rainbow Ryders hot air balloon company, has been in the more unique position of making an item on their lists come to fruition.

Rainbow Ryders, one of the largest hot air balloon companies in the world, has renewed its contract with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta to remain the official ride partner.

Scott Appelman, the founder of Rainbow Ryders, unexpectedly died Thursday, according to his company. He was 66 years old. Appelman, who graduated from The University of New Mexico, started Rainbow ...

Rainbow Ryders, the Southwest's premier hot air balloon company, will proudly unveil a one-of-a-kind hot air balloon banner created by the cousin of a local pediatric cancer warrior during a ...

Art Flew “Duma the Cheetah” and Johnny piloted “Splash the Penguin” – both balloons owned by UK-based Exclusive Ballooning. While this was their first year flying at Balloon Fiesta, the ...