Globito Glow lights up the evening skies

As the sun set over Old Route 66, nowadays 4th Street, the globitos began to rise for “Globito Glow in the Village.”

It was the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta event held outside of Balloon Fiesta Park and the first to focus solely on globitos, which are scaled-down, remote-controlled hot air balloons that can be in special shapes or standard designs.

Magda Martinez-Baca, director of Economic Development for the Village of Los Ranchos, helped plan the event and said she was very happy with the turnout.

“The businesses are so excited. There’s a lot of vendors and live music,” Martinez-Baca said. “And this is the first time this is happening, with the village collaboration with the International Balloon Fiesta.”

The streets were lined with vendors, food trucks and businesses with their doors open, welcoming hundreds of visitors. People sat on the curbs, enjoying the views of the globitos while eating hot dogs, ice cream and roasted corn.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually do it twice a year, three times or something …,” Matt Scanlon, a local who attended the event, said. “Everyone’s having a great time.”

In addition to being a new event, the “Globitos Glow in the Village” was also a celebration for the centennial of Route 66.

Louis Ve, a globito pilot, said the event was a memorable way to mark 100 years of Route 66, which is next year.

“It’s history,” Ve said. “People are gonna look back on us in 100 years from now.”

Martinez said the event drew locals and tourists to more areas of the state.

“I think it’s important so people can see other parts of New Mexico," Martinez-Baca said. “(See) other parts of the village in Albuquerque and give people in the community more opportunity to go to different places.”

The globitos went down 4th Street from Schulte Road to Pueblo Solano Road.

Edy Taylor, who owns several globitos with her husband, said she enjoyed the event because it brings together people who might not be able to attend the early morning events of the Balloon Fiesta.

“We love bringing our balloons out and sharing them with the public,” Taylor said. “And you know, we’re getting questions from the kids all the way up to the grandparents.”

Visitors were able to speak to the globito pilots to ask questions and learn more about the balloons.

Landon Markham, a local and avid balloon lover, said he was happy to see the balloons and thought “seeing all these tiny little model balloons is really cool.”

“I hope to see more events like this and not just during fiesta time, but all year,” he said.

Taylor said the event created nostalgia and showcased the culture and history of Old Route 66.

“I don’t think a lot of people know about this original Route 66,” Taylor said. “I think it helps to educate people that Route 66 is more than just Central.”

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