NMSU hot air balloon takes flight this fall

SILVER CITY WEATHER

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: Category: Other NM universities announcements; 27 August 2024

Aggies should keep their eyes on the skies next month to catch the debut of New Mexico State University's new, official hot air balloon, decked out in crimson and white.

The hot air balloon is set to make its first public appearance with a balloon glow during a pep rally sponsored by the Associated Students of NMSU the evening of Thursday, Sept. 26, in the tailgate lot east of Aggie Memorial Stadium. The balloon will also be on display between the Pan American Center and Aggie Memorial Stadium throughout the day Saturday, Sept. 28, ahead of the Aggies' football matchup against the University of New Mexico.

"We're so excited to introduce this balloon to our community," said Justin Bannister, NMSU's associate vice president for marketing and communications. "There's an incredible amount of Aggie pride, not just in Las Cruces, but across our entire region. Including this balloon to our game day festivities and other events around the Southwest is going to provide energy and enthusiasm to current and future Aggies far beyond our campus."

NMSU's Marketing and Communications office collaborated with Rainbow Ryders, a premiere hot air balloon ride company in the Southwest, and Lindstrand Balloons USA, a hot air balloon manufacturer based in Galena, Illinois, to bring the Aggie hot air balloon idea to life.

Bannister said NMSU wants the Aggie community to be a part of naming the new hot air balloon. To cast a vote beginning Wednesday, Aug. 28 through Tuesday, Sept. 3, visit https://marcomm.formstack.com/forms/help_us_name_our_balloon. The chosen name will be announced Wednesday, Sept. 4 on all NMSU's social media platforms.

"With the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and other rallies across our state, hot air balloons really hold a special place in the hearts of New Mexicans," Bannister said. "We appreciate being able to work with Rainbow Ryders and Lindstrand to make this a reality."

Damian Kirson, general manager and pilot at Rainbow Ryders, said the production of NMSU's hot air balloon took around four months to complete, and the balloon is 90,000 cubic feet in volume, measuring 85 feet tall and 58 feet wide when fully inflated.

"The sewing process depends a lot on the amount of fabric and stock that the manufacturer has. Typically, a balloon takes about three to six months to produce fully," Kirson said.

Before his unexpected passing on Aug. 16, NMSU worked closely with late president and CEO of Rainbow Ryders Scott Appelman, who said in a July interview that it was a privilege for the company to represent another of New Mexico's top higher education institutions, especially since ballooning is such an iconic staple in the state.

"We've got Aggies working with us that are pilots or management, and we've got Lobos also working here. So it's been quite fun internally for us to do that, because it's that rivalry that goes on," Appelman said in July. "In the state of New Mexico, a balloon is a brilliant recruiting tool for both schools."

Bannister said the team at NMSU was saddened to learn of Appelman's passing.

"Scott was so great to work with on this project, and our hearts are with his family and the team at Rainbow Ryders," Bannister said. "We're looking forward to continuing our relationship with Scott's team, and we'll be thinking of him when we introduce the Aggie community to our balloon next month."

The NMSU hot air balloon will also be featured at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta this fall, taking place from Oct. 5 to 13.

"There are people of all ages going to the balloon fiesta, looking up at the balloons and taking pictures," Appelman said in July. "This balloon is a tool to create pride in people who are alumni of NMSU, and we welcome them. It's meant to be interactive and experimental, so that's what we want to do and how the university wants to use it."

Appelman had been excited to see more activations of the hot air balloon featured at NMSU home games. "Whether it's football, basketball, or a special event that the university is going to have, having that as a backdrop brings a lot of pride for the students, alumni, and people that are there. It's a connection that's there that hasn't been in the past."

To keep up with scheduled appearances from NMSU's hot air balloon, follow NMSU on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-hot-air-balloon-takes-flight-this-fall/s/32e839e2-63c0-495e-821d-39d4844d75fd

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