Indian Pueblo Cultural Center showcases refreshed hot air balloon

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center’s mission of celebrating, preserving and promoting the culture of New Mexico’s 19 pueblos is rising to new heights with the help of its recently refreshed hot air balloon.

The center’s new balloon, called “Eyahne On The Horizon,” was showcased to the public and IPCC staff early Monday morning at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott, near Albuquerque’s Old Town.

“We hope that when people see the balloon flying, they’re reminded of all the good things that the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is,” the IPCC’s incoming president and CEO Monique Fragua told the Journal.

The center introduced its original hot air balloon to the public in 2020. That balloon’s design incorporated symbols, concepts and themes from all 19 pueblos. After five years and nearly 1,000 flights, the design began to fade and needed a refresher, IPCC officials said.

The new balloon features the same design, but is larger and displays a more vibrant white and a new registration number. The original 275-cubic-foot balloon could carry 12 people and featured a “19NM” on it, referencing the 19 pueblos. The new 300-cubic-foot balloon can carry 14 people and is marked with a “76NM,” a nod to the center’s opening in 1976.

Both the original and the refreshed version are among New Mexico’s largest ride balloons, IPCC officials said.

The center’s cultural events coordinator, Anthony Tekala, said the water serpent and circular motion in the balloon’s design are rooted in symbols common throughout all 19 pueblos.

“The definition of [the symbols] can vary, depending on which tribe, but this is something that unites all 19 pueblos together,” Tekala said.

The balloon is a favorite for Alfred Salazar, who has been a pilot with Albuquerque-based Rainbow Ryders — the official hot air balloon partner of the IPCC — for roughly 16 years. Salazar has been flying "Eyahne On The Horizon" since about 2021.

“[They love] the colors of the artwork. It’s really iconic to the city,” Salazar said as he waited for riders to get in and out of the basket at the unveiling. “This has been one of my favorites for sure.”

Brianna Jaramillo, Rainbow Ryders’ Albuquerque office manager, said the IPCC’s balloon is one of the ballooning company’s “most highly requested” hot air balloons in Albuquerque.

The balloon will continue to make frequent appearances around the city, flying 200 to 300 times per year in the Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Los Lunas areas, in addition to displaying at local events and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October.

Fragua said she hopes the balloon will remind people to visit the center and enjoy all it has to offer, including the center’s pottery selection, cultural dances, the new Rainwater Wellness Day Spa and “the best green chile stew in Albuquerque.”

“We’re just truly excited for the transformation that we’ve experienced here with the development of the restaurants and the renovations of our museum space,” Fragua said.