Maya Balloon festival lights skies over Tahmek
The sky over Tahmek was alight with color as the Globo Maya Festival began, marking the start of a magical celebration in the heart of Yucatan. Dozens of vibrant balloons, each one a testament to the creativity and skill of artisans from Yucatán, EdoMex, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Morelos, Michoacán, and CDMX, soared above the excited crowds.
This year, the festival also welcomed talented balloon makers from Brazil and Colombia, adding an extra splash of international flair to the event.
These artists and visitors not only filled the sky with breathtaking displays but also laid the foundation for boosting the local economy and tourism. The festival continues Sunday, Aug. 25.
The fourth annual Maya Balloon Festival, its name in English, is expected to attract more than 8,000 visitors per day.
Before the weekend is over, up to 40 handcrafted balloons of different sizes and shapes will rise into the sky, said Minelia Sabido Luit, an organizer of the festival.
“We invite everyone to come and visit us with their families. It’s a completely family-friendly event, and we will have balloons ranging from five to 15 meters in height and in different designs,” she said.
She also mentioned that during the festival, visitors can see designs inspired by Yucatecan and Mexican culture, as well as balloons featuring cartoon and movie characters, which children especially love. Additionally, on both nights, small balloons will be mass-released at 9:30 p.m. “We want everyone to come and buy a balloon so that, at night, we can release them all at once, lighting up the sky with many colors and creating that beautiful scene we hope to capture this weekend in our beloved town,” she expressed.
Finally, she stressed that this festival is important for the economy not only of Tahmek but of Homún, Mérida, and Izamal, since many visitors stay there to attend the festival.
“The benefit permeates many sectors, to the moto taxis, to small shops, to the one who sells dinner, to those who have something to sell, or those who rent their houses, plus the municipalities that surround us, since in Tahmek there are no hotels,” Sabido said.
The Libertad neighborhood sports field is the event’s venue. Tahmek is 25 miles from Mérida, about a 30-minute drive. The event is free while parking is 50 pesos.
Lee Steele is the founding director of Roof Cat Media and has published Yucatán Magazine and other titles since 2012.
