Heartfelt gratitude
A couple of weeks ago, on November 2nd and 3rd, the first-ever Rio Grande Sky Fiesta took flight in Rio Arriba County at the beautiful Los Luceros Historic Site in Alcalde. This incredible event brought together magnificent hot air balloons from New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas, including the crowd-favorite special shape Zozobra balloon, which was as impressive as it was enormous.
During the day, colorful balloons soared gracefully over our stunning valley, providing breathtaking views for residents and visitors alike. In the evening, the festivities transformed into a magical display, with a glowing balloon spectacle illuminating the bosque, complemented by hundreds of farolitos lighting the paths. It was a truly unforgettable experience for the 1,500 attendees who shared in the joy of this remarkable event.
We at the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA) extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made the Rio Grande Sky Fiesta possible. A special thank you goes to State Representative Joseph Sanchez, whose steadfast legislative support of NRGNHA’s work at Historic Los Luceros, in collaboration with New Mexico Historic Sites, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, and the Outdoor Recreation Division, was instrumental in bringing this event to life.
Representative Sanchez’s commitment to our community and his belief in the potential of Historic Los Luceros as a cultural and recreational hub made this dream a reality. We also want to thank New Mexico Historic Sites for hosting and supporting this event.
As we look forward to next year’s Sky Fiesta, we invite the entire Rio Arriba community to join us in celebrating and expressing our appreciation for those who made this magical weekend possible. Thank you for helping us shine a light—both literal and figurative—on the beauty of our valley.
Let’s keep the skies glowing,
Eric Vasquez
Executive director
Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA)