Balloon Fiesta and Bernalillo County are bringing back the X Marks the Spot program as growing metro development leaves balloonists with fewer places to land.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Balloon Fiesta and Bernalillo County are bringing back the X Marks the Spot program as growing metro development leaves balloonists with fewer places to land.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta first launched the program about a decade ago, and officials said land owners can mark open landing spaces with a large white X.

“If you are going to put a wide X out there, if you can make sure if you have any stakes that are up, anything that might harm a balloon or rip any fabric. You don’t have to pull weeds. We don’t mind. Weeds are great. It’s just anything sharp. And then power lines. If you’ve got power lines, you can also notate it,” said Jennifer Garcia with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

People need at least 200 feet by 200 feet of space, which is about an acre.

The county and Balloon Fiesta organizers have about 200 Xs available for free, and people can also make their own with a white sheet if supplies run out.

Land owners interested in participating can pick up a white X marker at the following locations, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.: 

• Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta offices, 4401 Alameda Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
• Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Posse, 10308 2nd Street, Albuquerque, NM 87114
• North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, 7521 Carmel Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
• The Village of Los Ranchos Administrative Office, 6718 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87107
• Frontier Market, 3677 Corrales Rd, Corrales, NM 87048
• Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center, 9800 4th St NW #2125, Albuquerque, NM 87114
• Village of Corrales Hall, 4324 Corrales Rd, Corrales, NM 87048

Anyone who registers an X is eligible to win a prize if a pilot lands on the property.