RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) — Sparks aren’t the only thing flying this Valentine’s Day. Over in Rio Rancho, over 50 hot air balloons are expected to take to the skies for the annual “Friends & Lovers” balloon rally. It’s an event by the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association that’s been painting local horizons for about 40 years. And this time around, we can expect to see a couple of special shapes make their debut at the rally.
“Friends & Lovers is one of New Mexico’s signature winter balloon events. We celebrate community creativity and the love of ballooning,” said Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA) Will Wadsworth. “The rally is designed to bring together pilots, crews, families, and spectators for a multi-day experience.“
Friends & Lovers is taking place on Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15, with balloons expected to take flight just after sunrise. They’ll be flying over the skies of Rio Rancho, although you’ll likely be able to get a decent view of them in northwest Albuquerque as well. Out of the 50 to 75 balloons slated to fly, there’s two special shapes new to the rally. That includes a massive Zozobra balloon, as well as a clown-shaped balloon that recently found its home in Albuquerque.
There’s also a new youth balloon program in development. “We are working on a youth balloon education program,” said Wadsworth. “We first featured it in December during our Jingle Bell event… That balloon will be flying during Friends & Lovers. It will be with a student pilot, so we are furthering a student pilot with their instructor.”
For first-timers, the rules are pretty simple: Stay away from the actual balloon fabric, and no smoking or vaping anywhere around the balloons. As for new faces looking to learn more about ballooning, they’re in luck. AAAA has a myriad of resources…