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Red Rock Balloon Rally History Peter Procopio
Red Rock Balloon Rally History
By Peter Procopio
The Red Rock Balloon Rally, New Mexico’s Premier Balloon Event celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. What began as a friendly competition between Gallup pilots and our pilot friends from Farmington, New Mexico, became one of the most recognizable and celebrated balloon rallies in the world.
The first Red Rock Balloon rally was held in December of 1981, with about 25 balloons in attendance. But, did you know that two years before this, about 15 balloons participated in an unofficial event held just east of the hogback. Feedback from participating pilots and the efforts of four Gallup pilots and their friends, resulted in the beginning of our now famous event. Planning and fund raising, remarkably, occurred over just a two month period in the fall of 1981. This was also the year of Gallup’s Centennial celebration.
People often ask why December? Isn’t it too cold? The organizers felt that Gallup could use a boost in tourism and needed a way to keep locals in town during the busy shopping holidays. They also wanted to shine a positive light on the town which had suffered from a lot of negative publicity over the years. One of the catch phrases at the time was, “if you’re looking up, you can’t look down on Gallup.
The City of Gallup provided some additional financial support which, in combination with the generous support of the local business community, allowed the rally to “get off the ground.”
The Ramada Inn hosted the pilots and crews and served as headquarters for the first event. In the second year, with over 70 pilots and balloons invited, the event headquarters was moved to the El Rancho Hotel.
Once word of the beauty and challenge of flying the red rocks got around, there was no stopping the inevitable growth of the event. Pilots from around the country and the world sought an invitation to the event and there soon was a waiting list to participate.
There have been as many as 200 balloons flying in the Red Rock Balloon Rally. Today, it has been scaled back to about 150. The all volunteer organizing committee has worked hard to keep the event going. We have always depended on our launch directors, an able bodied, hard working group, known and the “Hawaiian Chex,” to manage our launch site and to get the balloons in the air each year.
We invite everyone in the community to join in the 40th celebration December 3rd, 4th,5th .
All Photos by Bill W• Flynt II Photography
40th Annual Red Rock BALLOON RALLY December 3-5, 2021
Presented by McKinley County Powered by Gallup Propane Service Thursday-December 2 6:00 pm
Butler’s Office Supply Pilot
Registration
El Rancho Hotel Friday-December 3
*LAM Corporation Day
7:30 am Mass Ascension Fox Run Golf Course & Red Rock Park 6:30 pm
Cedar & Ivy Real Estate Glow in the Rocks
Red Rock Park 6:30 pm
McKinley County Indian Dances
Red Rock Park
7:00 pm Four Corner’s Welding & Gas
Supply Pilot Registration El Rancho Hotel Richardson Trading Pilot Appreciation Sponsor Albuquerque Distilling Pilot Appreciation Sponsor Saturday-December 4
*Supersmith Day
Red Rock Park 6:30 am
Amigo Automotive Group Dawn Patrol
8:30 am Pinnacle Bank Pyramid Rock Run
Red Rock Park 6:30 pm
Rio West Mall Balloominaria
Rio West Mall Rio Auto Complex Pilot Pack Sponsor Big Mike’s Platinum SponsorSunday-December 5
*Sonic Drive In Day
6:30 am
Amigo Automotive Group Dawn Patrol
10:00 am
New Mexico Gas Co. Awards
Brunch & Auction
Red Rock Park Gurley Motor Platinum Sponsor Perry Null Trust and Goodwill Pilot Appreciation Sponsor
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