The 2024 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Takes to the Air

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

Balloon-goers woke to cloudy, gloomy skies Friday morning July 5, for the first day of the 2024 International/Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally,   but not long after, the sun rose above the mesa, the clouds began to burn off leaving clear blue skies to greet the 13 hot air balloons and throngs of spectators at the La Mesa Airfield south of town.

All but two balloons took to the air Friday morning while the Raton Elks tossed flap jacks and sausage to a long line of hungry spectators. KRTN was on hand to provide the play-by-play and visit with some very special people including the wife of Kenneth “Fergie” Ferguson who passed away December 10, 2023. Fergie attended most all the rallies in Raton and will be missed by many. The rally this year is being held in his memory and a collage of photos was presented to his family Friday morning. DJ Noby Gomez was on hand this year to provide the background music for the event.

Gloomy skies greeted balloon rally folks Saturday morning and along with the wind proved to be too much of an issue for most pilots. Tom Gardner flying Ajuua Dreamer managed to find a hole in the wind and took off quickly to the north and as he moved over town the wind seemed to let up and he put down in south Raton. Royce Miller pilot of the Green Hornet filled up his balloon but the wind put an end to that attempt. DJ Noby Gomez provided the music again as the Elks flipped pancakes and sausage. Specialty Coffees were provided by Sage Coffee and 111 Park.

Bright Blue skies and calm winds greeted Balloonist and spectators Sunday morning for the third day of the 2024 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon rally at the old La Mesa Airfield. By 6:30 a.m. however the wind had picked up and Balloonmeister Tom Gardner put pilots on a 30 minute delay to see if the wind would abate so pilots could inflate. Thirty minutes late Gardner called the day as the wind continued to blow increasing at times to over 15 mph. Closing ceremonies were held and now Raton Mainstreet will begin the process of planning for next year’s event.