EL PASO -- Getting hundreds people up at sunrise requires nothing more than a mix of hot air and a "Star Wars" character.
Christine Sambrano was one of the early risers Saturday, driving from the West Side to the Upper Valley to meet her friends and family at 6 a.m. for an El Paso tradition. She joined nearly 1,000 other people who attended the 24th annual KLAQ Balloonfest's opening day at Grace Gardens, 6701 Westside Drive.
"There's not many events like this in El Paso, and it's nice to not have to drive to Albuquerque," she said. "It also makes great memories for the kids and anyone else who's here for the first time."
The crowd was made up of hot-air-balloon lovers of all ages and tastes, but the Darth Vader helmet balloon was the event's must-see attraction.
Imported from Belgium, the 86-foot-high, 640-pound balloon was originally seen at the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta two years ago and impressed KLAQ Event Director Gina Roe Davis. She said the balloon and its company were great crowd-pleasers, and she couldn't wait to get them in El Paso.
"I think the whole 'Star Wars' theme is very entertaining and it's good for the whole family," Davis said. "It brings out the kid in everyone."
Thirty-one balloons were launched in two waves Saturday morning.
Two more launches will follow at 5:30 a.m. Sunday and Monday.
The first Champagne Festival will be from 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday and from 2 to 10 p.m. Monday. Concerts are also taking place at Wet 'N Wild Waterworld, including headlining band Hoobastank on Monday night.
Pink Rivera may be reached at news@elpasotimes.com; 546-6194.
KLAQ Balloonfest information
# What: Daily launchings of Darth Vader and 30 other balloons, concerts, and the first El Paso Champagne Festival.
# Information: 544-9550, www.klaq.com; 886-2222, www.wetwild.com; 877-2745, www.elpasogracegardens.com.
Balloons
# Where: Grace Gardens, 6701 Westside Drive.
# Sunday and Monday: all balloons launch at 5:30 a.m.
# All balloons land by 8:30 a.m. each day.
Concerts
# Where: Wet 'N' Wild Waterworld, 8804 S. Desert, Anthony, Texas. Gates open at 7 a.m.; rides open at 8 a.m.
# Sunday: Rev Theory (6 p.m.), Burn Halo (5 p.m.), 11-11 (4 p.m.), Full Bloom (3 p.m.), Suicide Romance (2 p.m.), Los Roqueros (1 p.m.) and Gideon (noon).
# Monday: Hoobastank (6 p.m.), Sweetest Downfall (5 p.m.), Fully Blown (4 p.m.), Bash (3 p.m.), Grip (2 p.m.), Aerial (1 p.m.) and Slick Reynolds (noon).
# How much: $25 at the door (includes concert and one-day ride ticket); $49.95 festival pass (includes all concerts and Wet 'N' Wild season pass).
Champagne fest
# What: El Paso Champagne Festival, with champagne tastings, food and music.
# When: 4 p.m.-midnight Sunday, 2-10 p.m. Monday.
# Where: Grace Gardens, 6701 Westside Drive.
# How much: $7 in advance at 7-Eleven/ Fina stores in the El Paso area and Pic Quick stores in Southern New Mexico; $10 at the door. Admission includes a champagne glass and one full champagne-glass tasting. Food and other drinks also will be sold.
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