‘Zozobra Balloon Glow’ lets families see a 135-foot hot-air balloon up close and for free, 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at Villa Linda Park @ Santa Fe Place Mall —for those who can’t make the trip to Albuquerque. Courtesy/KCSF

Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe News:

SANTA FE — With the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta right around the corner, many Santa Fe children have never stood beneath a towering hot-air balloon—until now! On Friday, October 3, the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe will inflate the spectacular 135-foot “Zozobra the Balloon” in Villa Linda Park, giving local kids and their families a rare, FREE chance to experience balloon magic without leaving town.

“Not every family can make the early-morning trek to Albuquerque,” said Ray Sandoval, Executive Director of Zozobra the Balloon. “We wanted to bring the wonder of ballooning right to Santa Fe’s own backyard so every child can look up, see Zozobra glowing overhead, and say, ‘Wow—that’s for me’, and build excitement for Balloon Fiesta from some new fans!”