White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitational

White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitational
16TH WHITE SANDS HOT AIR BALLOON INVITATIONAL
SEPTEMBER 15 AND 16, 2007

Photo: Tory Davis

 

White Sands is getting ready for the 17th White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitational, which you can grace with your presence on

Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, 2008.


Here is a recap of last year's hot air balloon fiesta:

 

It was announced that around 50 hot air balloons would be launched each day at sunrise. But Saturday was a no-go due to unfavorable wind conditions.

The wind would have pushed the balloons right over the restricted military territory of White Sands Missile Range.

Approx. 4,400 long faces watched how 34 balloons didn't take off. At least not the ones launching at White Sands.


Saturday evening at sundown the balloon glow was scheduled at the AHS football field, synchronized with the AHS Band. But it was still too windy for the balloons. 

Everyone tried to make the best of it, the school marching band accompanied the torches and we accompanied a good bottle of whiskey. A pretty nice day after all.
 

2007 Balloon Glow, White Sands Balloon Fiesta
BALLOON GLOW MINUS THE BALLOONS
SATURDAY, SEPT 15, 2007
Photo: Tory Davis
 

On Sunday people were ready for action, and rightly so. The audience arrived before the balloons did. Approx. 3,500 spectators cheered on the 30 balloons that were launched.

The balloon launches that were scheduled from Alamogordo took off as planned.


Check out our Hot Air Balloon Slideshow.

 

And here are some short video clips from the event:

 

Here goes the meteorologists' test balloon.

Here goes the meteorologists' test
balloon (aka pie ball).
Click to play video.

 

Bob Flotte is hoping to get the balloons up.
Click to play video.



Dave Chelgren says it's all depending on the
weather people, when the convoy arrived.

Click to play video.
 

Dave Chelgren is the Balloon Meister in charge. He manages the pilots' registrations and has an eye on health and safety issues.
 

More photos from the Balloon Fiesta in our Photo Gallery.

 

It was understood that everybody had to immediately put their balloons back on the ground if the wind pushed it towards the army restricted territory of White Sands Missile Rage. The wind did exactly that and everyone went back down, except the REMAX balloon. One pilot and three passengers were on the roll and later in big trouble. Here she sails ....

REMAXX balloon over White Sands Missile Range
REMAX BALLOON OVER WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE

 

What happened on Friday at the Sgt. Willie Estrada Memorial Civic Center in Alamogordo?

A private reception for the 64 balloon pilots was held. The pilots were briefed on safety issues and they combined the occasion with a little celebration together with their sponsors, crew members, and friends, all in all around 400 people.

The Remax pilot (photo above) didn't attend the safety instructions sessions. What do we learn from this?

 

The Beginning of White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitational

It all started in 1992, when Ed Brabson, who is now director of the annual balloon festival, and others managed to get all necessary permissions and launched 18 balloons.

 

 

To the best of our knowledge all information is current. If you should discover any errors, however, please let us know via mail[at]white-sands-new-mexico.com. Thanks!

 

 

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