By Scott and Cathy Verhines

By all accounts, the first Four Corners Unit urban rally was a grand success thanks to a very fun group of intrepid campers, good weather, and the amazing program put together by the Artesia Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the annual Balloons and Tunes festival. This was the Chamber’s 42^nd annual hot air balloon festival.

Nineteen Airstreams, representing 43 people, camped a half block off Main Street (US 82) in Heritage Plaza and the Western Bank parking lot nearby. Heritage Plaza is a multi-use parking and event area. The group generously donated to Packs of Love, a local nonprofit providing socks, blankets and games for a special Christmas gift annually for the last 15 years, to underprivileged children in the area.

With some advance planning and a staging plan we managed to maneuver and park 16 rigs in Heritage Plaza and three in the Western Bank lot only a few steps away. Campers got to show off their very impressive backing and parking skills. Everyone was parked and set up in a couple of hours in time for an opening reception around the corner at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center on Thursday evening. Mayor Jon Henry and Councilman George Mullen came by the reception to provide a few welcoming remarks and kick off the rally.

Friday’s activities included hot air balloons setting up and inflating at various schools around town. Some of our campers volunteered to help crew for the weekend with fellow Airstreamers Diane and Dennis Moore’s daughter Paula and son-in-law John’s balloon Next Generation. They have been flying at this event for many years now. We were treated to a personal tour of the Artesia High School ‘Bulldog Bowl’ stadium, athletic facilities, and Museum of Champions with Jeremy Maupin, head football coach and athletic director, and Cooper Henderson, long-time former head coach and AD. Artesia has won 32 state football championships and are vying for a 33rd this year. In the afternoon there was a walking tour of downtown Artesia showcasing a little history of the area, their impressive bronze sculptures, and the Artesia Public Library with its 47 ft by 15 ft original mural by artist Peter Hurd above the reception desk. We ended the walking tour with snacks and libations at the Wellhead Pub and Restaurant around the corner from Heritage Plaza. Friday evening included heavy hors d’oeuvres and fire pits around the central circle with much meeting, greeting, and visiting going on. Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Youtsey and his wife came by for a visit around the campfire.

Saturday was a picture perfect mass ascension hot air balloon launch of about 20 balloons from Eagle Draw Park as the sun came up and more crewing for Next Generation as they got in a couple of launches. Food trucks provided breakfast fare and hot beverages. Following the launch, we got to see the first ‘inflatables race’ event where people dressed up in inflatable costumes and raced each other down Eagle Draw – one of the funniest things you’ve ever seen. In the morning, we were visited by the local car club showing off their vintage autos and by members of the public wanting to hear about and check out the Airstreams.

There was also a Farmers and Makers Market near the ‘Derrick Floor’ bronze statue and many of our campers managed to bring home some goods. Saturday evening was a special treat with some of the balloons lighting up in time with the high school marching band and cheerleader troop, food trucks, a beer garden, and live music, only a block away from our camping location.

The mass ascension on Sunday morning was cancelled due to windy conditions, but the balloons were able to set up and static inflate. We had a very orderly departure Sunday morning and folks were on their way to their next destination. It would be hard to imagine a better venue for an urban rally. A packed and eventful weekend for a first of its kind 4CU event!

The hosts would like to thank the campers for their patience and support of the 4CU’s first urban rally and their incredibly generous donations to Packs of Love. We would also like to thank Western Bank, the Artesia Public Library, Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center and Artesia Chamber of Commerce for their incredible program and help putting the rally together, and the City of Artesia for their support and welcome.