Balloon Fiesta Park Tribute Area to open

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A special ribbon cutting for a special place near Balloon Fiesta Park will happen on Tuesday afternoon.  The Tribute Area behind the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque Balloon Museum will pay special tribute to fallen balloonists Carol Rymer Davis and Richard Abruzzo.  It will also have an area for kids and families to gather year round.

Rymer Davis and Abruzzo were competing in the Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race in late 2010 when their balloon went down off the coast of Italy. Their remains and the balloon were found about two months later.

Abruzzo was finally brought home and laid to rest shortly thereafter. Now his family and the city are paying tribute to him as well as Rymer Davis in the tribute area.

The City of Albuquerque's website voters approved a half-million dollar General Obligation bond in 2011 which is going into the project. Another $250,000 is being contributed from the Sandia Peak Ski and Sandia Tram companies.

Mayor R.J. Berry, city officials, along with the Abruzzo family will be on hand for the ribbon cutting at the Tribute Area at 2 on Tuesday afternoon.

The city's website also says anyone wanting to show financial support for the project can buy a tree for $500, a grove of 4 trees for $2,000 and a bench for $2,500.