Scores of balloons took to the Albuquerque skies over the weekend in celebration of friendship and love.
The 2019 Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally was held Saturday and Sunday at Balloon Fiesta Park.
The Valentine-themed event included balloon competitions and cooking contests.
It is billed as the second largest balloon rally in the country.
TOP RIGHT: Shawn Speicher of Albuquerque hooks the American flag onto a crown line of the balloon “Pita’s Kiss” during the Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally on Sunday. Speicher said balloon pilot Bob Mass is a retired Air Force pilot and always flies the flag.
GREG SORBER/JOURNAL
A flock of Canada geese flies by a balloon during the Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally at Balloon Fiesta Park on Sunday.
ABOVE: Peg Billson of Albuquerque, pilot of the “Play Me” balloon, wears a heart sticker on her cheek as she takes off on Sunday at the Friends and Lovers rally.