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One of the most unique ballooning experiences in the country takes place right here in southern New Mexico, when the Elephant Butte Balloon Regatta celebrates its 43rd year at Elephant Butte Lake State Park, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 6-8.
Twenty or more balloons ascend from Lion’s Beach starting at 7:15 a.m. each day, weather permitting, and create a spectacle like no other, until around 9 a.m.
Watching the balloons ascend into the wide, clear New Mexico skies is one of those moments that never grows old for most people, and accounts for the draw, but it isn’t the only part of the experience that makes this festival worth attending. That came about quite by accident.
The history of the Elephant Butte Balloon Regatta began in the late 1970s, when balloonists regularly made the trip to take advantage of the spring weather in the area. However, in 1989 concern over the safety of the balloonists prompted the Coast Guard to require chase boats for each balloon, similar to the chase vehicles used on land.
That decision led to a unique air to water ballet that takes place as the balloons descend onto the lake, where boats recover them and tow them back to shore. It takes a lot of coordination, according to Event Director Jimmy McCarthy.
“It’s kind of a once-in-a-blue-moon thing to see the balloons flying over water, being recovered by boat and towed back to the shore,” McCarthy said. “It makes it a unique experience, as balloon festivals go. Usually, when you have balloons fly over a lake, they land on the other side, miles away. That’s not really an option for us, due to the spaceport and (ranch owner) Ted Turner’s land. By the time they reach the middle of the lake, they need to be coordinating with their boat skipper to come back down and get towed into the right side of the shore.”
The result is a camera-worthy pageant that defies expectation, making the event a true family-friendly experience. And though vendors are not allowed to set up shop at the park, McCarthy points out that there are a lot of different draws in the area to fill up the rest of your day.
“We have a lot of nice little breakfast joints in Elephant Butte, Truth or Consequences and Williamsburg,” he said. “Come out, enjoy the sunrise and the unique experience of balloons over the lake,” he said. “Then go and explore the area. There’s a lot to see and do that makes this part of New Mexico really magical.”
The festival itself is free to attend, but a state park fee is generally in effect at $5 per car and $15 per bus. More information about the Elephant Butte Balloon Regatta is available at the event’s Facebook page.
