SW New Mexico News

The Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally is set to return to Las Cruces from January 17 to 19, 2024. This event invites the community to witness hot air balloons soaring once more. It begins on Friday, January 17, with a balloon glow at the downtown Plaza de Las Cruces from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring RC balloons. Attendees can enjoy colorful sights and purchase food and drinks from vendors.

On Saturday, January 18, a mass ascension of full-sized and RC balloons will take place at sunrise, around 7 a.m., from the Field of Dreams located at 2300 Tashiro Dr. The day will conclude with an evening glow event at approximately 5:30 p.m.

The rally concludes on Sunday, January 19, with another sunrise mass ascension at about 7 a.m. This offers spectators one last opportunity to see the balloons in flight.

Christine Castillas, who leads the organization of the event and recently returned to Las Cruces in 2023 with her fiancée, expressed enthusiasm for reviving this experience. "We are so excited to bring the official Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally back to Las Cruces," Castillas stated.

Originally starting in 1977 with only thirteen balloons, the rally was renamed as the Whole Enchilada Balloon Rally in 1985 before adopting its current name in 1988. The last rally occurred in 2011, marking a fourteen-year hiatus.

Castillas and other organizers aim to engage the community with this event and promote hot air ballooning as a sport. "I’m already looking forward to 2026," Castillas added. "We’re talking about what to do differently and some things that are going really well that we want to improve upon."

While public rides are not available during this event, attendees can bring their own seating and leashed pets are permitted at owners' discretion. More information can be found on the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally website.