ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - (Oct. 7, 2015) The Visit Albuquerque (Visit Albuquerque) has announced the winner of its #PictureABQ photo contest. The 10-day contest encouraged entrants to submit photos that celebrated fall in Albuquerque and tag them with the #PictureABQ hashtag on Instagram and Twitter. The grand prize is a hot air balloon ride for the winner and a guest on Friday during the 2015 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®. Entrants submitted hundreds of beautiful Albuquerque images-from stunning sunsets against the Sandia Mountains to inside views of hot air balloons.

"Fall is such a magical time of year in Albuquerque, and the #PictureABQ photo contest is a great way to showcase that beauty through the eyes of our residents and visitors," said Tania Armenta, Chief Operating & Marketing Officer for Visit Albuquerque. "We received so many spectacular photos that it was very difficult for us to decide on a winner."

The Visit Albuquerque judging committee announced the top 10 photos yesterday based on the official rules of the contest. The winning photo was submitted by Maddy Minnis (@mongobbq) and presents a beautiful representation of Albuquerque tradition, culture and fall atmosphere with a shot of Native American dancers (Hopi) at Balloon Fiesta. The contest runner-up, Jon Barnes (@barnes_of_the_jon_kind), showed an Albuquerque sunrise in a historic location with our iconic balloons decorating the background.

Other noteworthy photos that made the top 10:

• Inside of a hot air balloon by @bg1313bg
• The entrance at Historic Old Town by @apineapplejaunt
• Autumn colors in the Sandia Mountains by @swanwick_w
• Laser Light Show at Balloon Fiesta by @pollydo
• Colorful knit hat amongst the balloons by @godzidina
• View of the fall sunset from the top of the Sandias by @spen082
• Balloon gazing by