White Sands Balloon Invitational
Credits: Robin Roberts
 

Hot Air Balloon Invitational

The 2019 White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitational will take place September 6-8.

If you have photos from previous White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitationals, feel free to submit them.
 

In 2012, launch time was 7:00 am on Saturday and Sunday from various sites in Alamogordo and also at the White Sands National Monument.

Admission was free except a gate fee for White Sands National Monument of
$3.00.

FROM THE 21ST WHITE SANDS HOT AIR BALLOON INVITATIONAL - SEPTEMBER 15-16, 2012
Photo: Kevin Pfister

Here are some photos from the 21st White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitational,
September 15 and 16, 2012.

And here's a review of previous years along with some general information:

How did the 2011 event turn out?

FROM THE 20TH WHITE SANDS HOT AIR BALLOON INVITATIONAL - SEPTEMBER 16-18, 2011
Photo: Thelma Sharber

It was totally windless at the 20th Annual Hot Air Balloon Invitational, and very mild in the 80s with little humidity.

And here are some photos of the 2011 event.

The 19th White Sands Balloon Invitational took place September 18 - 19, 2010.

And the conditions? A dream.

Incredible weather. No wind. The balloons went up and just stayed there. It is rumored that this was the best launch in the event's history.

And here is the

2010 Hot Air Balloon Invitational Slideshow

More balloon photos in the White Sands Photo Gallery

The annual White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitational always takes place on a weekend in September.

Last years' admission fee for the general public per head was $3.00 over the age of 17. Under 17 was free.

The event begins right at sunrise and lasts until the balloons come down, usually 3 hours. There is a Balloon Glow at our local High School, Alamogordo High School, that takes place 30 minutes after sundown, usually 7:30 pm. Admission for the Balloon Glow was FREE.

The morning lift-offs you can reach best by going to White Sands National Monument. You have to take your own vehicle. White Sands Blvd., in Alamogordo, head South and follow the road when it turns to Hwy 70. This will lead you to White Sands National Monument.

The Hot Air Balloon Invitational grows more and more popular each year. Approx. 200 to 400 spectators are enjoying it each day. This is a rough guess, however.

See more under Where is White Sands located and How to get there.

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO PURCHASE A BALLOON RIDE?

Unfortunately not. All balloons are operated privately. However, some lucky individuals who crewed at the event were offered a ride.

How do you become a crew member? You ask at the White Sands official desk for an opening. Ask the desk where you can sign on to volunteer to crew.

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.

Previous Years at White Sands:

2008 - And here is more of the 2008 event, the 17th White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitational 2008. It had rained the day before the event but throughout the festival we had ideal ballooning conditions.

Check out the balloon fest video we've all been waiting for . . .

And here is a recap of the 2007 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta:

16TH WHITE SANDS HOT AIR BALLOON INVITATIONAL
SEPTEMBER 15 AND 16, 2007
Photo: Tory Davis

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. 440 long faces watched how 34 balloons didn't take off. At least the ones not launching from 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 very windy. 

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.
 

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. 350 spectators cheered on the 30 balloons that finally took off.

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 (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 them 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 ....

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?

To the best of our knowledge all information is current. If you should discover any errors, however, please let us know. Thanks!

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