New program encourages community involvement during Balloon Fiesta

Kai Porter

August 29, 2018 07:36 PM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -  Balloon Fiesta organizers want people in the metro area to help guide balloonists back down to earth.

Jim Garcia, who sits on the Balloon Fiesta's board of directors, says finding a good place to land can be challenging at times.

"It could be a private property, it could be an area where they have cattle, or livestock, that could be a problem landing with the balloons so we're very careful with that," he said.

For the first time, the Balloon Fiesta is launching the program X Marks the Spot, which is sponsored by the Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

"We're going to have the community set out these X's in their property, near their property, and invite, embrace the balloons that are coming in and invite them to land near them," said Garcia.

Garcia said households, business, and property owners are all encouraged to participate. If a pilot lands on or near a person's X, they will be entered to win a prize package from a daily drawing.

"The prizes are going to be fantastic,” said Garcia. “It's a gift basket but they're probably going to average between $400-$500 in value, and at the end of it, we're going to give away a trip in New Mexico as well. So one of those nine people will also win a family staycation here in New Mexico."

People can pick up free vinyl to make their X at the Hispano Chamber of Commerce starting Tuesday.