Colourful balloons drift over Mesilla Valley

“Cool Beans” was the first to launch on Saturday, followed by ten more hot air balloons that filled Las Cruces skies with bursts of color.

The Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally has been officially cancelled for another year, but balloon aficionados may still be able to identify some colorful flying objects today.

A dozen balloons are expected to show up for this weekend’s two-day informal fly-in hosted by a private club, the Greater Mesilla Valley Aerostat Ascension Association (GMVAAA), according to Orbin Stone, the group’s president.

Most pilots expect to launch again early this morning at an undisclosed location in Las Cruces

“It’s looking pretty good for weather. The general public can’t come to the launch, because it’s on private property and there’s not enough room. Some of the balloons will fly only on Saturday or Sunday, but we’re expecting about 12 in all, over the weekend. We have pilots from Las Cruces, Albuquerque and Arizona,” Stone said Saturday, as he and his wife Janette prepared to launch their “Southern Angel” balloon.

Balloon pilots said they enjoy the fly-in, but many also miss the larger rally.

“The fly-in is friendly and it’s good for us, but it’s fun when there are more people to enjoy it. I’ve been flying since 1979 and I remember when the rally was part of The Whole Enchilada Festival. I started as crew and it just becomes addictive,” said Larry Boucher, preparing to launch “Old Yeller.”

His friend Elaine Anderson came from Tucson, Ariz. to fly “Dreamcatcher”, making its Las Cruces debut.

“I’ve been flying since 1993, when I got my license, and I flew here about 20 years ago. When it’s smaller, it can be more fun, more personal,” Anderson said.

“We really enjoy the fly-in. Las Cruces is delightful; a beautiful place to fly. And we also get to do some afternoon flights, and there are more places to land here, as opposed to Albuquerque. It’s more open,” said Gladie Gardner of Albuquerque, flying “Ajuua Dreamer” with her husband Tom Gardner.

“We come to fly every year. It’s beautiful. The scenery is nice and we like the landing places and friendly people,” said Ann Kauffman of Albuquerque, who flies with her husband Blair Kauffman.

Bud Hebrlee, of Albuquerque, and pilot of “Albuquerque Aerloon”, said he misses the crowds.

“I’ve been saying the same thing for the 40 years I’ve been flying. It’s a joy to see smiles on the faces of kids and adults, parents and grandparents. If there ever comes a day when I don’t see that smile any more, I probably won’t be flying. It’s always such a joy to share the passion with other people,” Hebrlee said.

“The big events are nice. The whole idea of ballooning is people, and it’s always fun to share it (ballooning) with others. The balloon glows, for instance, are not for the pilots, but for the people to enjoy,” said Jim Hoidal of La Luz, pilot of “Hsss Too.”

Sonya Ruiz, of Las Cruces, said she is volunteering as a crew member because she wanted to share the experience of flying in a hot air balloon with her children. Volunteers often help with launches and chases (to meet and help pilots at landing sites) in exchange for flights.

“It was fun and now I give my rides to my children,” said Ruiz, who was looking forward to watching her daughter Jaclyn, 9, have her turn in the skies.

Traditionally, the third weekend in January has been the date for the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally, which was once known as the first hot air balloon event of the year within the United States. In its heyday, the rally attracted more than 90 balloons and thousands of fans to a festival that included vendors, entertainment, tethered rides and balloon glows.

The rally has been repeatedly cancelled in recent years because of difficulty in attracting sponsors in a tough economic climate, according to members of the MVBR Board.

“The board is still active and still in existence. A decision about the 2015 rally will be made late this spring,” MVBR board president John Kemp said this month.

For now, the fly-in launches on private property remain closed to the public, but alert fans should be able to spot balloons flying over the downtown Las Cruces area after launches at about 7:30 a.m. today.

via – Las Cruces Sun-News.