Every year on the last full weekend in October, as the trees in the high country surrounding this historic village erupt into a painter's canvas of oranges, reds, ambers and yellows, even more color is added to the vista as the Taos skies are filled with dozens of brightly colored hot air balloons lifting into the clear, cold dawn of a Taos Mountain sunrise. Dawn patrol takes off at 7 AM, followed by a mass ascension at 8:15 AM and the closing ceremonies at 11:30 AM!