By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multu-Media
The 2019 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally got off to great start Thursday morning at La Mesa Airfield in Raton with 20 balloons present to fill the Raton skies with color.
Winds out of the west northwest whipped some of the flags as the day began but soon they went limp and balloonist unpacked their envelopes. As many inflated a light breeze continued from the west but as the balloons rose above a 100 feet the winds shifted from the east and the Raton Box took effect.
Several balloons went up and west working their way into position to come back to the field. Many landed back on the field with some just south and others to the west.
It is estimated that well over 500 people attended the event Thursday morning. There were over 230 cars parked on the east side of the airfield.
