An event that provides a bucolic Northern New Mexico alternative to the popular and at-times hectic Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is coming back to Alcalde at the end of the month.

The second annual Rio Grande Sky Fiesta is scheduled Oct. 25 and 26 at Los Luceros Historic Site.

"This two-day celebration will once again fill the skies with vibrant hot air balloons and welcome guests with food, culture, and family-friendly fun along the Río Grande," the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, a local cultural preservation group that organizes the event, stated in a news release.

This year's event includes planned morning balloon ascensions at 6:45 and 7:45 a.m. Saturday and Sunday as well as the return of a Zozobra balloon. Saturday evening's Balloon Glow will go from 6 to

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