The city of Las Cruces is preparing for a visual spectacle this weekend as the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally (MVBR) ascends after a long hiatus of 14 years. Striking colors and shapes will fill the skies from January 17-19 with both full-sized and radio-controlled (RC) hot air balloons, according to KTSM.
The event is scheduled to start on Friday evening at the Downtown Plaza de Las Cruces with a balloon glow from 6-8 p.m. showcasing the RC balloons. "We are so excited to bring the official Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally back to Las Cruces," announced lead organizer Christine Castillas, as obtained by Visit Las Cruces. Adding to the already high anticipation is a planned mass ascension at sunrise on Saturday, taking place at the Field of Dreams, located at 2300 Tashiro Dr.
Saturday will also feature an evening glow event around 5:30 p.m. where attendees can witness the full-sized RC balloons displaying their brilliant colors once again. As per Visit Las Cruces, the rally concludes with another sunrise mass ascension on Sunday, estimated at around 7 a.m., for those looking to catch one last view of this aerial charm.
The return of the MVBR is not only a nod to local tradition, it originally started in 1977 with just 13 balloons but is also seen as a reinvigoration of community engagement in the sport of hot air ballooning. Christine Castillas, the event's lead organizer said, as noted by KVIA, "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." This event is set to not only thrill attendees with its stunning visuals but also kindle a renewed passion for the skies that has been dormant in Las Cruces for over a decade.
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