2022 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa Airfield Takes to the Skies Over Raton – KRTN Enchanted Air Radio

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi Media

Almost picture perfect weather greeted balloonist and spectators at the 2022 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally held at the La Mesa Airfield this July Fourth weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday very light winds allowed some pilots to stay close to the field and give spectators a show not seen in a long time in Raton. Kissing balloons were seen at least a couple of times during the event as balloons moved slowly over the field. Saturday morning winds allowed pilots to maneuver their balloons fairly close to the field. Sunday’s winds down low allowed pilots to stay close while the winds aloft took the balloon pilots and riders north over Raton. Pilots found landing spots mostly in east Raton a sight not seems in several years of ballooning in Raton.

The Elks Lodge once again provided pancakes and sausage to spectators at the event while DJ Teddy Romero supplied the air with music and latter games for the kiddos. The class of 1972 planned their class reunion for the weekend and sponsored a balloon allowing several of the class to get a first time ride in a hot air balloon. It was noted that several out of state license plates were seen on the field.

New Mexico Magazine even ranked the Raton Balloon Rally as their number one event to see during the 4th of July weekend making Raton one of the hot spots in the state.

Sunday Morning inflate and float as balloons inflated and floated off to the east and south before going high and drifting off to the north over RatonCloudy quiet skies greeted balloonists and spectators Sunday morning at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.It was a beautiful Sunday morning as the balloons began to fill during the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldIt was a beautiful Sunday morning as the balloons began to fill during the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldIt was a beautiful Sunday morning as the balloons began to fill during the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldOne of the new balloonist Nathan Detroit from Nebraska readies his balloon Saturday morning.Balloons inflate Saturday morning at the 2022 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldBalloons inflate Saturday morning at the 2022 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldA large crowd gathered Saturday morning to watch balloons inflate at the 2022 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldSpectators watch as balloons ready for take off Saturday morning at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldLow and Slow Ajuga Dreamer and Green Hornet work their way south just east of the field during the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Saturday morningYellow is the color as these balloons line up at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa Airfield Saturday morningBalloons take to the air at the 2022 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldIt was a Chamber of Commerce morning as these balloons begin to rise above the field Saturday morning at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldKissing balloons as Lofty and Desert Flying Viking touch during lift off Saturday morning during the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldIt was a beautiful sunrise that greeted spectators and balloonists Sunday morning at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldThe National Anthem was played Sunday morning at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldTesting the burner on Ajuua Dreamers basket Sunday morning at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldHolding the crown is just one of the many jobs during inflation of the hot air balloons at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldBalloons prepare Sunday morning at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldUp they go during the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldBalloons inflate during the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldA letter wind rocked the balloons Sunday morning at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldWhoops as the basket touches the envelope of Lofty Sunday morning at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldBalloons are inflated and preparing for lift off Sunday morning at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldThese three balloons are inflated and ready to lift off at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa AirfieldAn unexpected treat at the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally at La Mesa Airfield is this rider and horse, the horse was dancing to the music provided by DJ Teddy Romero Sunday morning