A new Elvis hot air balloon and another in the shape of a child in a wheelchair are among the new shapes scheduled take part in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
The 41st annual event is set to begin Saturday with the launched of hundreds of hot air balloons.
Fiesta officials hope for better weather for the nine-day affair after wind and rains sidelined balloons for a few events last year cutting attendance by around 100,000 visitors.
Still, last year organizers broke a world record sending 345 balloons up at one time.
More than 550 pilots have signed up with fly balloons during the fiesta. Among the other balloon scheduled to make their Albuquerque Fiesta debuts are Simba the Lion and Cosmo the Astronaut.