Over 50 Balloons Expected at Rio Rancho Friends & Lovers Rally

More than 50 hot air balloons are expected to lift off over Rio Rancho just after sunrise on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15 for the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association’s annual Friends & Lovers balloon rally. Organizers and local coverage estimate the field could reach 50-75 balloons, making the Valentine’s weekend spectacle visible across Rio Rancho and into northwest Albuquerque.

The rally has become a winter landmark for north central New Mexico, with organizers saying it has been “painting local horizons for about 40 years.” Will Wadsworth of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association described the event as part celebration and part community gathering: “Friends & Lovers is one of New Mexico’s signature winter balloon events. We celebrate community creativity and the love of ballooning.” Wadsworth added that the event is intentionally inclusive: “The rally is designed to bring together pilots, crews, families, and spectators for a multi-day experience.”

This year’s lineup will include a couple of special-shape balloons new to the rally, including a massive Zozobra and a clown-shaped balloon that recently found its home in Albuquerque. The colorful silhouettes and sunrise launches are the core attraction, with social posts previewing “over fifty colorful balloons” taking flight and highlighting the visual spectacle.

Organizers are also using the rally as a platform for workforce development and youth engagement. Wadsworth said, “We are working on a youth balloon education program,” and explained that the initiative has already appeared at a recent winter event: “We first featured it in December during our Jingle Bell event… That balloon will be flying during Friends & Lovers. It will be with a student pilot, so we are furthering a student pilot with their instructor.” For Sandoval County families and schools, the program points to a tangible pathway into aviation-related skills and local volunteerism.

Public-safety guidance for spectators is straightforward and community-centered: stay away from the balloon fabric, and no smoking or vaping is allowed in proximity to inflating aircraft. Organizers say AAAA maintains a range of resources for people who want to learn more about ballooning or volunteer with crews, and spectators should plan to watch launches just after sunrise on both days.

For residents, the rally offers a bright, family-friendly display and a reminder that local events can double as education and workforce pipelines. Expect colorful skies over Valentine’s weekend, and check Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association channels for final launch details and any last-minute weather updates.