EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)—After 14 years, the community is invited to watch hot air balloons take over the Las Cruces skies this weekend.
The Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally (MVBR) is kicking off at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17 at the Downtown Plaza de Las Cruces with a balloon glow showcasing radio-controlled (RC) hot air balloons, Visit Las Cruces said in a news release.
On Saturday, Jan. 18, a mass ascension of full-sized RC balloons will take place at sunrise, around 7 a.m., at the southwest lot of the Field of Dreams, 2300 Tashiro Dr.
Later on, an evening glow event will occur around 5:30 p.m., where the full-sized RC balloons will show off their colors.
Visit Las Cruces said the rally will wrap up on Sunday, Jan. 19, with another sunrise mass ascension at around 7 p.m. at the Field of Dreams.
The rally is spearheaded by lead organizer Christine Castillas, a Las Cruces native who moved away and came back in 2023 with a vision to restart the hot air balloon experience with her fiancée, Visit Las Cruces said.
“We are so excited to bring the official Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally back to Las Cruces,” Castillas
said.
“The Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally started in 1977 with just 13 balloons. In 1985 it was named the
Whole Enchilada Balloon Rally but was renamed to its current title in 1988. The last rally was held in 2011, making it 14 years since balloons took to Las Cruces skies,” read the news release.
In addition, attendees are welcome to bring their own seating, and on-leash pets are allowed at the owner’s discretion.
“I’m already looking forward to 2026. We’re talking about what to do differently and some things that are going really well that we want to improve upon,” Castillas said.
For more information, visit here.
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