Great Falls Balloon Festival “Swashbucklin’ in the Sky”

Sunny Boy, along with Peg Leg Pete, will delight crowds at the 22nd annual Great Falls Balloon Festival, August 15–17, 2014, in Lewiston/Auburn, Maine. FMI: www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org 

Great Falls Balloon Festival invites guests to a swashbucklin’ celebration

The Great Falls Balloon Festival is hosting its 22nd annual celebration August 15–17, 2014, in Lewiston/Auburn, Maine, with a pirate-themed weekend called “Swashbucklin’ in the Sky”.

From Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston, visitors can enjoy the sight of dozens of hot air balloons as they take to the skies over the Androscoggin River and the rocky Great Falls. This year, Pegleg Pete and Sunny Boy are the special shapes headlining a weekend of hot air balloons, food, entertainment and fun for all ages.

Admission to the festival is free, though some activities may require a fee. Balloon launches are scheduled for 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Friday–Sunday, weather permitting. It doesn’t have to just be a spectator sport either—arrange in advance to take a flight yourself. Visit the festival website to learn more and to book a ride.

When the balloons aren’t floating overhead, there is still plenty to do to keep busy throughout the weekend: dozens of food booths serve everything from fried dough to taco salads—including pancake breakfasts following the morning launches—all run by volunteers from local nonprofit groups. Along the walkway, which follows the river and winds along the edge of the festival grounds, craft and trade booths invite browsing and a children’s area entertains kids of all ages with a bounce house, miniature horse rides, games and face painting. Enjoy live entertainment throughout the weekend—from children’s shows and blues singers to jazz, rock and oldies. Carnival rides, the festival parade, and various demonstrations and contests round out the weekend’s events. And don’t miss Family Fun Day on Sunday with free face painting, balloon twisting and more!

Since 1992, the mission of the Great Falls Balloon Festival has been to provide fundraising opportunities for local nonprofit groups while celebrating the twin cities community and promoting the Lewiston/Auburn area as a visitor destination.

The cooperative efforts of the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, an army of volunteers and the generosity of valued local businesses have grown the festival into a truly memorable event. The sight of hot air balloons in the skies over Lewiston/Auburn is a spectacular experience. With free admission, annual attendance estimated at over 100,000, financial impact in excess of $2,000,000 and tens of thousands of dollars raised by participating nonprofits, it is easy to see why the community eagerly anticipates the third weekend of August.

FMI: visit www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org, follow the festival on Facebook and Twitter, or call (800) 639-6331.