Blast Off!: rocketry in the desert
Courier photos by Stephen Jiron Hundreds flocked to the Southway ConstructionGarret Pit in Northern Conejos County to take in the sites as model rockets from various classes took to the sky for National Sport Launch 2021
ALAMOSA – It was a power-packed weekend for model rocket enthusiasts from all over the country. The Southway Construction-Garret Pit, located near the nexus of the Alamosa, Conejos and Rio Grande Counties, was host to the weekend-long National Sport Launch (NSL) event.
Model rockets from beginner up to high-power, professional size took off from the launch sites streaking the sky all weekend.
The event was centered around passing on the hobby to the younger generation and featured free launches for kids ages 0-to-17, and a free rocket to children ages 5 to 17 through the ‘Fly It, Take It’ program. The weekend also featured a ‘Spudlofting’ competition where participants were challenged to reach a target altitude with a potato onboard and return it in edible condition.
Vendors were on hand for the event selling everything from rockets to refreshments and hamburgers.