Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally floats from ABQ to Rio Rancho this year

Could Rio Rancho finally be getting some payback for Albuquerque taking the Twinkle Light Parade two decades ago?

Perhaps.

In any case, the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association, or Quad A to hot air balloon aficionados, announced Thursday that its Valentine's Day-period Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally is moving to the City of Vision this year.

"The Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally has traditionally been a staple event hosted in Albuquerque," the organization said in a news release. "Quad A has decided to relocate the flying event to Rio Rancho as a proactive response to align the event with FAA guidelines, and the decision underscores our commitment to creating a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants."

This year's rally is set for Saturday, Feb. 10, and Sunday, Feb. 11, with remote-controlled and hot air balloon flying events, crew contests and food trucks at the Rio Rancho amphitheater, the group said.

According to Quad A, the Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally, originally known as the Albuquerque Cloudbouncer Balloon Rally, was launched to stir interest in the 1975 World Hot Air Balloon Championships and the 4th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which had been moved from February to October that year.

And for those who don't know, the Twinkle Light Parade that kicks off the holidays was long held in Rio Rancho before it went down to road to the Duke City in 2003.

Evonne Joiner, the parade founder and chief organizer, had thought of retiring the event, she told the Journal in 2003, but was convinced by those in the administration of then-Mayor Martin Chávez to relocate it.

"They wanted to try something different in Albuquerque. They said, 'Don't do it. Please move it to Albuquerque.'"