When the Community Comes Together, Magical Things Happen

By Misty Cryer

Christmas on the Pecos is well underway, with many locals and tourists enjoying boat rides down the Pecos River to check out the amazing display of lights and delighting in the events and enhancements added over the years that make this a uniquely incredible experience.

The First Flume Flight has been added to this year’s events, with special features that collectors, photographers, and balloon enthusiasts will appreciate. The sunrise flight is set for December 14 from 6:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. at The Flume.

“We started on November 28 this year,” said Chad Ingram, CEO of Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. “We will run through December 31,” he said.

The Shopping on the Pecos and the Winter Wine Festival were events that have already happened, which Ingram said were well attended and a success.

Balloons on the Pecos will be December 12-13. “On Sunday morning (December 14), we will have the first Flume fly over,” said Ingram.

Balloons on the Pecos started with regular hot-air balloons, with remote-control model balloons taking their place last year, said JW Sutphin, Retirement Director for the Chamber of Commerce. He said about 11 or 12 RC balloons flew along with the Destination Carlsbad balloon, adding that a Chamber of Commerce balloon has since been added to the fleet.

This year, 25 RC balloons are expected, with eight or nine of them in special shapes, said Sutphin. “We will set up half of them on the beach side over by the domes and light mazes and the elf villages. The other half we will put on the golf course, right next to the miniature golf course. There will be a group of remotes on both sides reflecting off the water,” he said.

“This will be the second largest gathering of model balloons in the country,” said Sutphin. “For us to be able to get 25, the second largest group, it really speaks for Carlsbad,” he said.

Sutphin said the remote-control pilots love coming to Carlsbad. “We’re hoping we can grow this bigger and bigger every year,” he said.

“My passion, ever since I moved here, has been The Flume,” said Sutphin, which he said was mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records and is one of Carlsbad’s iconic spots. “I really wanted to add a different dimension of sunrise with the Flume Flight,” he said.

As part of the First Flume Flight, Sutphin said there will be a photo contest with prizes and plans to create a calendar. Entries can be sent to ACHEDDEN@CURRENTARGUS.COM.

“We’re going to do something that hasn’t been done before,” said Sutphin, adding that collector cards were ordered for The Flume. “Each pilot will receive 75 of those to autograph and put their balloon on it,” he said, adding that there will be some type of competition to see if anybody can collect the full set.

In addition to lodging, propane, and a trip to the Caverns, this year, the Chamber will provide each pilot with a headlight, a butane lighter, limited-edition pins from The Flume, Chamber cards, and stickers, said Sutphin. “I ordered a special pilot shirt for each of the pilots this year that has their balloon flying over The Flume,” he said.

Derived from a picture Sutphin took of The Flume with one of the Chamber’s balloons in it, Ron Roth rendered a painting of it for this event. “That’s what we did the poster off of, and that’s what is on each of the shirts,” said Sutphin.

Ingram said Santa on the Pecos will be December 19-20, with Rolling on the Pecos returning on December 26-27. “The boat rides themselves are such a magical time, not only for adults, but for children,” he said.

“For over 30 years now, the homeowners have been such an instrumental part of what Christmas on the Pecos is. The event wouldn’t be as successful as it is without their partnership,” said Ingram.

“Christmas on the Pecos is a massive undertaking, and the team here at the Chamber of Commerce has done an extraordinary job,” said Ingram, recognizing Jill Barkley, Assistant Director and Director of Tourism; Shayella Yarbrough and Donna Cass, and JW Sutphin, Retirement Director.

“Christmas on the Pecos would not be the success that it is without these individuals working with everybody from homeowners to light decorators. They really put their heart and soul into it,” he said.

Ingram also recognized the team that works out at Pecos River Village: Albert Ornelas, Isaiah Carrasco, Cole Austin, and Reyes Payanes. “They do a tremendous job of keeping everything looking just wonderful down there,” he said.