A giant pumpkin balloon opens Durango's balloon rally
About 1,250 to 1,500 people filled Main Avenue for the balloon glow, and 25 to 30 balloons rose over Hermosa the next morning.
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The Animas Valley Balloon Rally opened Friday evening with a balloon glow on the 500 block of Main Avenue in Durango. A huge Great Pumpkin balloon was the centerpiece, filling with flame while children ran through the block party. The city estimated 1,250 to 1,500 people came downtown. On Saturday morning, 25 to 30 balloons lifted in waves from a field along Hermosa Meadows Road. Mike Bertetto was first off the ground in a balloon called the Nerfer, with an American flag trailing from the basket.
Organizer Doug Lenberg, in his 11th year with the rally, said the pilots haul their own equipment and are not paid to attend. He measures a good weekend by how many smiling faces it creates. Another downtown glow was planned for Saturday evening, and he expected Sunday morning to be flyable as well.
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