Rainbow Ryders has joined with New Mexico Centennial Foundation and the New Mexico Tourism Department as a Founding Sponsor of the New Mexico Statehood Centennial 1912-2012 with the donation of an official New Mexico Centennial hot air balloon, which will be used to identify and promote the Centennial anniversary of New Mexico's statehood over the next two years.

“The Centennial offers us a significant opportunity to reflect and take stock of New Mexico’s development over time, what we have come to be, and what we are in the process of becoming as we enter a new centenary era,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. “It will have a significant and long-lasting impact on the state’s residents and its visitors, and we welcome the generous support of Rainbow Ryders as we showcase the Land of Enchantment to potential visitors around the world.”

Rainbow Ryders - in business under the same ownership for 27 years - offers daily, year-round balloon rides for weddings, groups, conventions, company retreats and special occasions in New Mexico and Arizona, and is the authorized hot air balloon company for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.®

“Rainbow Ryders has agreed to donate both the cost to build the 120,000 cubic-foot, hot-air billboard and the cost to display it at Centennial events,” said Richard Eeds, Advertising, Marketing and Promotions Director for the Tourism Department. “We appreciate this visible and generous contribution to help honor the state's 100th birthday.”

The Centennial Task Force works with the New Mexico Centennial of Statehood Steering Committee and the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs in the planning, facilitating, and implementing activities related to the commemoration of the Centennial.

For more information about Rainbow Ryders visit http://www.rainbowryders.com

For more information about the New Mexico Centennial, visit http://www.nmcentennial.org

For more information about the Centennial Balloon contact
Richard Eeds, Advertising, Marketing and Promotions Director, New Mexico Tourism Department
505-827-6557 or richard.eeds@state.nm.us


A high-resolution photo of the rendering is available at www.newmexico.org/