General Spectator Information
All flying and tether events will occur at the Launch Field located at Brown Farm Field, east of El Camino Real and south of Armstrong Rd. in Doña Ana County. Click here for DIRECTIONS to the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally Launch Field.
All events will occur weather permitting. Be at the field by 6:30 a.m. to catch the excitement! Dress warmly, in layers. For more useful hot air balloon event SPECTATOR TIPS, çclick here
Food and souvenir VENDORS will be on the Launch Field all day Saturday and on Sunday morning
NO SMOKING ON THE FIELD. Propane is the fuel used to power hot air balloon. Propane is a highly flammable gas. Sparks from a lit cigarette can easily cause fires or explosions! If you see someone smoking on the field, feel free to ask them to quit, or advise a Launch Officer, aka PENGUIN, who will be dressed in a signature black tuxedo. The balloon fabric can also be damaged by a stray spark or hot ash. Due to safety concerns, there is a strict policy of NO SMOKING on the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally field
PETS Please do not bring pets to the launch field. This is for everyone’s (including the pets) safety and comfort. Balloons and pets often do not mix well (due to the noise of the burners, the care that must be taken around the balloon, and the general nature of this sport)
WEATHER is a big factor in the flying of hot air balloons. Not only are the winds used to "steer" the balloon, but the winds must be calm (below 10 knots) for balloons to launch at all. The fact that the winds are usually calmest in the morning is the reason that most balloon launches occur at such early hours, just after sunrise (7:30 a.m.) See Schedule of Events. All flying and tether events will occur weather permitting. It is advisable to dress warmly and in layers when attending the morning launches. Click here for additional Spectator Tips
DIRECTIONS to the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally Launch Field
PARKING The main field entrance for the public shall be at the southwest side of the field just off of El Camino Real. Look for signs
VENDORS Food and souvenir vendors will be on the Launch Field all day Saturday and on Sunday morning.
MVBR 2006 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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SATURDAY |
JANUARY 14TH, 2006 |
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MORNING |
6:30 a.m. |
Pilot Briefing at the Stage |
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7:00 a.m. |
OFFICIAL OPENING Mayor William Mattiace will present the MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION for the 14th Annual LAS CRUCES HOT AIR BALLOON WEEKEND SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS |
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7:10 a.m. |
MEMORIAL MASS PI-BALL (helium balloon) RELEASE BY PILOTS In memory of balloonists and all fun-loving souls who have left this earth but whose spirits continue to soar “Amazing Grace” sung by Naomi Vega |
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7:20 a.m. |
PRESENTATION OF COLORS – NMSU ROTC - Air force “National Anthem” sung by Naomi Vega |
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7:30 a.m. |
MASS ASCENSION in TWO WAVES Featuring the Well’s Fargo Stage Coach and other special shape balloons Competition “HARE & HOUND” or “JUDGE DECLARED GOAL” |
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8:00 a.m. |
TETHERED RIDES for the public Tethered rides are donated by Well’s Fargo Bank. The MVBR requests a nominal $1.00 donation for each person for a tethered ride, proceeds of which traditionally go to local causes
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10:00 a.m. |
AMTGARD, Kingdom of Dragonspine (of Las Cruces and the Southwest). Demonstration Live action roleplaying and recreation of medieval, ancient, and fantasy genres. http://www.dragonspine.net/ |
AFTERNOON |
3:00 p.m. |
AFTERNOON FUN LAUNCH Caravan and Display of BRITISH MOTOR CARS (of Southern New Mexico) BMCSNM members are devoted to the preservation, restoration, and enjoyment of British motorcars and dedicated to community service |
EVENING |
5:30 – 8:00 p.m. |
WELLS FARGO BANK BALLOON GLOW
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SUNDAY |
JANUARY 15TH, 2006 |
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MORNING |
6:30 a.m. |
Pilot Briefing at the Stage |
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7:30 a.m. |
MASS ASCENSION in TWO WAVES Featuring the Well’s Fargo Stage Coach and Competition “HARE & HOUND” or “JUDGE DECLARED GOAL” |
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PICARD BALLOON piloted by Don Picard will participate in the Sunday morning launch
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THE LAUNCH is directed by Launch Directors known as PENGUINS
RULES OF THE LAUNCH & ROLE OF THE PENGUINS below
The Launch of balloons at the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally is coordinated by a designated Launch Team made up of Launch Directors, a Launch Officer and the Balloonmeister. Since the official "uniform" of the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally Launch Directors is the tuxedo (this year provided by Men's Wearhouse), the nickname given to this team is the PENGUINS.
The photo to the left is of the 2005 Launch Team, and includes Balloonmeister John Kemp (in the white tuxedo), Launch Officer Sherry Richardson (second from left) and Launch directors (PENGUINS), from left, Dan Erhard, Burt Whirry, Lauren Bishop, Cati Waterman, J.R. Turner, Judy Fredrickson, and Jeff Woolwine. The 2006 team is the same with the substitution of Luz Woolwine for Dan Erhard
Penguin tuxedos provided by Men's Wearhouse
RULES OF THE LAUNCH
1. NO SMOKING ON THE FIELD
2. N O BALLOON LAUNCHES WITHOUT THE THUMBS UP FROM A PENGUIN (or other member of the official launch team)
3. THE BALLOONMEISTER IS THE FIRST OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE LAUNCH AND WILL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION FOR A LAUNCH TO TAKE PLACE, OR BE CANCELED OR DELAYED
Penguin Jeff Woolwine gives a pilot the thumbs up at the 2005 MVBR
ROLE OF THE PENGUINS
Launch Directors (Penguins) serve several purposes, all directed toward the safety of the balloon launch.
Penguins, with the assistance of the Launch Officer and the Balloonmeister, determine and direct balloons as to when and where they are to launch. They use a standard set of hand signals to communicate with the pilot
Penguins also serve to in control the crowd in terms of their proximity to, and/or activity around a balloon. When a launch officer blows his or her whistle, it is a signal to the crowd that a balloon is about to launch, and the crowd heeds this signal be moving out of the path of the launching balloon.
Penguin Lauren Bishops communicates with pilot and crew after clearing the crowd from in front of the path of a launching balloon at the 2005 MVBR