LEWISTON – Blue skies, sun and crowds returned Sunday as hot air balloons again filled the sky in the Great Falls Balloon Festival.

Hundreds of people were out of bed by 5:30 a.m. to watch crews haul balloons out of trailers, unfold them on the still soggy field, fill the balloons with hot air until they stood up straight and floated out of Railroad Park.

The festival, which was washed out by heavy rain Saturday, was back.

“It’s very exciting,” said Aliette Couturier of Lewiston as she walked into the park at 6 a.m. all smiles. “It’s not only exciting, it’s unique,” agreed her husband, Ronald Couturier. They got up Sunday at 5 a.m., three hours before they normally would. “I want to see the balloons splash and dash (on the river), that’s my big thing,” she said. “It’s so much fun. Also I like to see all the people. They’re all excited. Everyone’s affected by this.”

The Couturiers said they come every year. “We haven’t missed one,” he said.

As they chatted vans and trucks hauling balloons and crews rolled in and began to set up. Soon motors filling balloons hummed around the park. The Fire Fly balloon from Plymouth, Conn., was laid out. Next to it was the Re/Max balloon, and Gone With the Wind.

People of all ages gathered around, snapping pictures. Among the photographers was Megan Totten, 10, of Bowdoin, who was there with her friend, Allison Bouchard, 10 of Bowdoin, and their mothers. A sudden swoosh from the propane startled Totten, then she smiled. “I got a picture of the fire.”

The girls rose at 4:30 a.m. to watch the balloons “and follow the Octopus,” their favorite, Megan said. She and her family have come to the balloon festival before. Sunday was Allison’s first. “It’s pretty amazing,” Allison said.

Seconds later the balloon lifted to cheers and applause. “Next year I’m going up,” Megan’s mother, Kim Totten said looking up. “I just want to ride. I don’t care which one.”

To the left and right, balloons were filling up and taking off. A few riders climbed into baskets. Tyson Paradis of Auburn was among six getting into one. The six in one basket looked snug. “This is my first time,” he said, adding he was a little nervous. His parents arranged his ride. The pilot gave Paradis and the others instructions, then joked “you’re free to move about the cabin.” Cameras clicked as the balloon floated away.

A few feet away the Purple People Eater was growing. Tony Margison, 17, of Lewiston, held the balloon as it filled with air. He was among the Purple People Eater crew volunteers. His girlfriend and family have been balloon volunteers for several years. This year “they dragged me along,” he said. He said he liked all the balloons, and woke up “late” on Sunday. “I got up at 5:30. It’s worth it. It’s fun.”

Looking across the field at 6:40 a.m. the scene was hilarious. Half-filled, one eye of the Purple People Eater protruded like a comic monster. Beside it the Octopus’ Garden was coming to life. Next to it the Brazilian Clown was rising.

The Purple People Eater was the first specialty balloon in the air. “I know what that one is, it’s a spider!” squealed 5-year-old Eryn Dillingham of Auburn. “Look at that one,” said her friend, Samantha Herrick, 5. “That’s a funny looking starfish,” she said of the smiling starfish attached to the octopus. “I like the spider and the clown and this one right here,” she said, pointing to the octopus.

The clown took off while one of its occupants threw down clown noses. Jake Berube, 11, and his friend, David Tremblay, 11, both of Lewiston, scooped up the red noses and put them on. They smiled and posed for a photo. David called the balloons “pretty cool.”

The Beatles’ song “Octopus’ Garden” played over the loudspeaker as pilot Grant Aiello took off in the octopus, bowing to applause. A few on the ground sang the lyrics: “I like to be, under the sea, in an octopus’ garden …”

The Amazon birds tree, with colorful birds sticking out, went up last.

After the balloons were up, George Kubanek of Montreal stood next to his cousin, Patty Weidler of Auburn. They were on their way to Cape Cod but got up early to see the balloons. They were glad they did. “It’s fantastic,” he said.

He’s seen hot air balloons before, but the experience of standing close to one as it was filled with hot air and propane was new for Kubanek. “It was very spectacular,” he said.