Colorful Red Rock Balloon Rally in Gallup, New Mexico
The Red Rock Balloon Rally draws visitors to the historic town of Gallup New Mexico each December. Everyone knows about the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta but this smaller, less-known event will surprise you.
The Balloons will Surprise You
The Red Rock Balloon Rally is the most amazing balloon festival I have ever experienced. Imagine seeing 100 colorful balloons literally dance on the tall red rock formations, dip up and down into the canyons and land their baskets on top of the rocks. These sights make getting up early on a frosty December morning very well worth it.
Once you spend your early morning enjoying the balloons, you can head in to town for breakfast or lunch at Earl's. Earl's is that Gallup institution where Native American vendors go table to table politely selling their wares. Then walk the Route 66 streets and visit such interesting trading posts as Richardson's.
And then at night, balloonists and onlookers gather for a night glow in the canyon of the park. One by one the balloons, now tethered, fire their burners to light up the park. After the exciting show of burners, you can gather around a huge bonfire to await Native American Dancers. It was quite a sight when we were there. As the fire crackled and the smoke spun upward, the dancers performed.
The night quieted and the fire started to burn down. All of a sudden we saw masked Apache dancers with headdresses step out of the shadows. What ensued was another amazing site. The fire grew and the dancing became more lively. It was a photographers' dream and I was sorry when the excitement ended.
After being outdoors in the cold head back to Gallup, and take refuge in the warm lobby of the Historic El Rancho Hotel. Sit over a warming glass of wine or cup of coffee and discuss the events of the day. You'll end up agreeing that the Gallup Red Rock Balloon Rally is a perfect combination of color, natural beauty and Native American entertainment.
When You Go:
Gallup Red Rock Balloon Rally Website
Red Rock Park
Take the frontage road paralleling I-40 East. Directions.
Getting to Gallup
Gallup, New Mexico is located two hours to the west of Albuquerque, NM and five hours northeast of Phoenix, Arizona. If you are flying to Gallup, choose the Albuquerque Sunport. Gallup is located off I-40 on old Route 66.
Published by Elizabeth Rose
Elizabeth (Liz) is a freelance writer, award-winning photographer and business woman with a passion for travel. She lives in the Southwest and is an expert in cultural tourism for Arizona and New Mexico.... View profile
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