ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Throughout the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, some New Mexico icons have inflated and launched from Balloon Fiesta Park. There’s La Ristra, Zozobra – and Koshare Gallup.

Despite his jovial laugh and bulging bag of balloons, Joel Wilkinson is no clown. He's a "twister." "Clowns actually scare me," he said. "No red noses or big feet for me." The 27-year-old Conroe ...