Pilots engage students at Colinas del Norte for Balloons Aloft

PHOTOS: Balloons Aloft at Colinas del Norte 2025

Oct 3, 2025

RIO RANCHO — Friday morning's dawn brought something special to the students, staff and families at Colinas del Norte Elementary School.

Three hot air balloons inflated at the school as part of the annual Balloons Aloft program that precedes the first official day of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Pilots Shane Richardson, Don Martindell and Allan Hahn brought Wildthang!, Dawn Song III, and Heaven Bound, too, up to Rio Rancho to engage the students in the sport of ballooning.

"Interacting with the kids is something special," said Hahn of Aurora, Colorado. "I love being able to teach the kids about the science of the hot air balloon and what makes it work."

"We bring the fiesta to them," said Dawn Song crew member Justina Anderson. She said the balloon has been an annual visitor to Colinas del Norte for about six years and that the kids have gotten to know the balloon. In fact, as Martindell lifted off with the school's principal and assistant principal, streamers trailed from the basket, something Anderson said the kids look forward to and ask about each year.

While Martindell and his crew are regulars in Rio Rancho, Hahn said it was his first time being stationed at an RRPS school. "Things are going well. The kids are really excited. The school is turning out really well," he said.

"This is probably the biggest crowd I've seen at a school. It's very impressive," Richardson said, noting he rotates schools each year depending on where the program needs him. While born and raised in Albuquerque, he now lives in a suburb of Las Vegas, Nevada, but makes frequent trips home: "The balloon lives here," he quipped.

However, coming back for two weeks for Balloon Fiesta, he said, is "a big party, good times and a lot of memories."

However, Friday morning was all about the kids. Each balloon crew was handing out cards to the students on request, and there were squeals of excitement as Martindell lifted off with the school's leaders.

Richardson, meanwhile, lingered a bit once his balloon was inflated to spend more time with the kids before taking off for a short flight. "Letting the kids get up close to the balloon is a lot of fun," he said.

Hahn had a different plan in mind. He elected to do a static display to allow for more time to interact and talk with the kids. In fact, a line quickly formed for the children to climb into the basket for a photo opportunity.

"I've done this event before, and it's some of the best times for Fiesta," he said.