The annual Friends & Lovers Balloon Rally was held Valentine's weekend, February 14-16, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico at the city's balloon park. The event was organized by the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association and hosted by the Rio Rancho Parks and Recreation Department. This year there were nine corporate sponsors helping out: Intel, PNM, Budweiser, Isleta Gaming, Comet Cleaners, Rio Rancho Title, Sivage Thomas Homes, 770 KOB, and REMAX.
The weekend was kicked off with a reception at the Holiday Inn Friday night that ensured the rally got off to a festive start. 183 pilots and 160 balloons signed up for this year's event. The rally usually averages from 155-170 balloons. The rally has its roots in the first Cloudbouncer Rally. It was held to promote interest in the upcoming World Hot-Air Balloon Championship. The February tradition continued and evolved into the Friends & Lovers Balloon Rally now held annually at the Rio Rancho Balloon Park over Valentine's weekend.
Last year Sunday was completely blown out, but the gods were smiling and the winds were gracious this year allowing balloons to fly both days. Saturday the breezes were a bit brisk and the balloons were immediately carried off the field to the southeast towards Albuquerque. The hare balloons were up and away rapidly, making it difficult to set up any creative cheating targets for crews that were inclined to do their own version near the "official" target. But, many of the pilots did get to fly close enough to the Rio Grande River for an attempt at a "splash and dash".
Sunday was an even better day for flying. The winds were still carrying balloonists toward the southeast but at a much more leisurely pace that kept the balloons bunched together like balloon bouquets as they jockeyed for position to the target areas. Upper winds were available to carry pilots to the west if they wanted to avoid the congestion and many opted to go play over the mesa. It was a visual candy gram seeing all the balloons flying in groups. Truly many Kodak moments existed on this day.
This was a terrific weekend for both crew and pilots. Food, arts and crafts and music were all at the park. Prizes were available for all participants, not just the pilots, and the key word for the weekend was fun. This year's prizes included a small boat for pilot competition and a pin board that was raffled off at the Sunday brunch. Creative cheating was encouraged and the judges were tempted with bribes, especially those judging the best efforts to assemble balloon-related art objects from the packets handed out to each pilot and crew. This rally is designed with fun in mind and it lives up to its purpose. What a great Valentine tradition!
