Thousands attend El Paso Balloon Festival, Neon Desert on Memorial Day weekend

The El Paso Balloon Festival is going on all weekend long in northeast El Paso.

Throughout the decades, the balloon glow has taken place at numerous locations throughout the borderland including Wet’n’Wild.

This year, it’s located at Bowen Ranch.

Organizers moved it there, despite some safety concerns from El Paso Electric and the city council about surrounding power lines.

Thousands of people enjoyed good music, food, games, the petting zoo and of course, the hot air balloons.

On Sunday morning, only four balloons were launched because of heavy winds and thorns in the field were puncturing some of the canopies.

“Well I love the rally,” Al Lowenstein, a hot air balloon pilot said. “I love coming out here, but we got to get a better venue and get out of these stickers because I’m not the only one with flat tires and that’s the big problem.”

Despite that, people said they had a great time.

“I’ve just enjoyed all my time here with the balloons and all the animals,” Brian Pilcher said. “I’m a big animal fan. I really love all this and I love the fact that my son gets to come out here and enjoy this.”

The Balloon Festival continues Monday morning at 5 a.m. For more information go here:

Another big event happening in El Paso on Memorial Day weekend is the Neon Desert Music Festival. Sunday is the last day. For more information go here: neondesertmusicfestival.com