White Sands Balloon Invitational

September 21-22, 2013

Unfortunately, weather conditions at White Sands prevented balloonists from launching their balloons on Saturday during the first day of the White Sands Balloon Invitational.

Launch time for Sunday, September 22, 2013 was 7:00 a.m. and the weather was perfect at the Alamogordo Balloon Park on LaVelle Road. Twenty-two years ago, Ed Brabson and the late Aubrey Dunn Sr. started this event on a bet.

"We put together a program for tourists called 'Sunbird.' We were discussing events to put on, then somebody bet Aubrey and me that we couldn't get clearance to fly hot air balloons in this air space," states Ed. "But we did. I didn't win anything but a lot of hard work every year, but it always puts a smile on my face."

Ed also said it takes coordination between the Holloman Air Force Base, White Sands Missile Range, the Park Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, ranchers, the city and the Federal Aviation Administration.

"It takes a lot of manpower and we have 15 or 16 volunteers on a committee that work year round," Ed further said.

Smokey Bear is always on hand at these events and the kids love it

These ladies in stripes are the launch directors

Testing the flame output

Mona Johnson, pilot of Casa de Sunshine balloon being interviewed

First balloon to launch is Swiss Cheese

Unloading Casa de Sunshine from the trailer

Balloons in various levels of airing up

Holding the topline rope to control the balloon as it rises

Up up and away in their beautiful balloons.....

Mona and crew attaching the burner

Lifting off

Mona attaching the burner gas lines in the basket

An unusually shaped balloon sporting a cityscape

So colorful and exciting to watch

Carla walking around taking pictures

The Casa de Sunshine almost ready to come upright

Looking straight up into a balloon

Several colorful balloons ready to launch

There were at least 50 balloons taking part

The Casa de Sunshine ready to launch

The Casa de Sunshine flying high

The Snoopy airplane balloon

Smokey Bear Balloon

L to R: One of the launch directors, Ed Brabson, and Carla

A launch director giving the thumbs up for launch

Four balloons in various levels from start to finish

This lovely animal is Lily enjoying the festivities

The sun coming up over the Sacramento Mountains

This crew is letting the balloon out gradually from a cart

This was a fun and exciting event. We talked to many people and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We left when it was over and headed to IHOP for some pumpkin pancakes. If you are ever out this way in September, try to make it during the White Sands Balloon Invitational. It is certainly a smaller version of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, but just as much fun without the hassle of traffic and humanity.

Doug and I collaborated on the photography this time.

This is all I have to say for now.