Floyd Admundson sill going at 76
The Fourth Annual Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally in Las Cruces, NM was held the weekend of January 13-14. The rally was officially sponsored by Norwest Banks. Over seventy balloons registered for the event that was held at SWIG Field in Las Cruces. The event was the first official event to kick off the Year of the Balloon in New Mexico. The mayor of Las Cruces, Ruben Smith, proclaimed Saturday, January 13 as Hot Air Balloon Day in Las Cruces to mark the event. This is the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association’s silver anniversary year and it is also the 25th year for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. A BIG year for ballooning in New Mexico.
The rally was kicked off Friday night with a reception for the pilots and their crews at the Mesilla Valley Inn. The launch directors attended in their tuxes, their official launch wear. This year’s balloonmeister was Bob Hammel. He was assisted by John Kemp who also acted as the event’s safety officer. The field officer was Harold Connell. The weather and airspace officer was Kathy Hicks-Lujan. Propane officer was Vernon Wilson. The launch officer was Mike Mayne and his launch directors were: Gwen Mayne, Doug Parten, Penny MacNeill, Sue Fender, Patti Havistad, and Dennis Sutton. Becky Owen chaired the event.
Saturday morning got underway a little behind schedule but the flying weather was superb. The mass ascension went well and the field cleared in time for the competition to take place. There was plenty for the crowd to do after the ascension and competition. Entertainment was supplied by the Onate High School Mariachi Band, a motorcycle display, and free tethered hot air balloon rides. Food and souvenirs were offered by concessionaires.
Sunday the south-easterly breezes were a little more persistent and made hitting the target in competition more difficult. Coming in close the pilots caught a surface breeze that took them to the east of the field if they hadn’t allowed themselves room to drift. Many came in too high and their tosses landed well away from the target. The ascension however went well and the crowd was pleased. Lil Buck, the Norwest Bank special shape, and the United Moving Van both launched from the field making the ascension even more special for the youngsters. (Not just the kids, but all of us that are young at heart.) The events closed out with a brunch for pilots and crew and most felt the event had been a success.
Floyd Amundson was there with Firebird. This is his third balloon and he is still doing things the more "traditional" way with a weed eater propane torch for hot inflation. It definitely caught people’s attention. Floyd also took the event’s official photographer, Alice Ward, aloft on Sunday. Both donned Floyd’s helmets for the flight. What a great guy; and at 76 he is still going strong. He puts some of us so-called younger folks to shame.
The surrounding area is rich in history and recreational opportunities. The historic town of Mesilla once hosted a trial for Billy the Kid. The village was also on the old Butterfield Stage route. Today as you enter the Old Mesilla Village, it is like stepping back in time and you can just picture it as it must have appeared at the turn of the century. Stahmann pecan farms are also in the valley. They are one of the world’s largest pecan growers with several million pounds harvested each year. Other points of interest nearby are: White Sands National Monument, Dripping Springs recreation area, and Fort Selden State Monument. El Paso is less than 50 miles away on I-10.
Las Cruces plans on many more balloon rallies with the eventual goal of growing as large or larger than the "Big One" in Albuquerque, it’s neighbor to the north. With their great winter weather and efficient event crews, they may well grow as large in time.
Floyd Admundson sill going at 76
Table of
Contents