8-20-2021 5:08pm

White Sands Balloon and Music Festival canceled due to COVID-19, Small Businesses Continue to Suffer

Chris Edwards Editor

As a result of recently implemented COVID-19 restrictions, the Alamogordo Center of Commerce Board of Directors had canceled the 2021 White Sands Balloon and Music Festival which was scheduled for Sept. 10-12.

"The current COVID-19 public health order does NOT prevent an event such as the Festival from occurring," New Mexico Governor's Office Spokeswoman Nora Sackett said in response to the cancelation.

Tickets to the 2021 White Sands Balloon and Music Festival went on sale through Eventbrite on April 1. Tickets were sold to people from all 50 states and some foreign countries, the news release stated and signed by Executive Director of the Center of Commerce JB Oliver.

"Although ticket sales clearly stated that those monies were non-refundable, the Alamogordo Center of Commerce has instructed Eventbrite to immediately refund all ticket sales," the news release states.

Officials said vendor fees would also be refunded. This is the second year that this event was canceled. Approximately 20,000 people attend this annual event and it is an economic boom for the community hotels, dining establishments and tourism related businesses and galleries.

Small business owners continue to struggle with the Covid-19 restrictions slowing business and tourism. Many local small business owners are fearful of another shutdown and with a shut down would be at risk.