LEWISTON – With Lewiston-Auburn’s skyline serving as an artist’s canvas, the Great Falls Balloon Festival got under way early Friday with a spectacular show.

Calm skies meant good flying for the hot air balloons that lifted from the Railroad Park shortly after 6 a.m.

The weather not only allowed all of the 20-plus balloons to take off, but the balloons also hung around in the sky after they launched, providing a feast for the eyes.

One hour later, several balloons landed right where they took off. Their chase crews never moved.

“This was one of our best Friday morning launches ever. It was spectacular,” said festival spokesman John Davis.

“The weather was phenomenal, perfect,” Davis said. “The winds were light and variable, so when the balloons launched they didn’t go far. Everybody just hung around and played on the river. That’s what we want, versus when you have 20 balloons launch and they all take off. … This just pumps everybody up.”

5:40 a.m.

The sun was up, so were dozens of balloon watchers who came clutching coffee mugs and cameras. Vans pulling trailers and trucks that were chase crews pulled in. Crews began to pull out baskets and spread the balloons on the ground.

6:15 a.m.

The field was looking magical. Balloons were coming to life, growing as they filled with propane. Everywhere you turned dazzling balloons were popping up. The specialty balloons, Bud E. Beaver and the Little Bees, were forming.

Wearing a festival jersey, Gov. John Baldacci admired the balloons. He said he would not be going up Friday. The look on his face seemed to say he’s done it once, and that windy ride was enough. “I have very pressing business in Augusta this morning,” Baldacci said laughing. “This is a great festival, not just Lewiston-Auburn but the state. It’s a wonderful way to raise money for charities. It’s a fun time.”

6:35 a.m.

Two ReMax balloons were about to take off. One was piloted by Bruce Byberg of Woodstock, Conn., who’s flown at the festival every year since it began. “I like this festival better than any others in New England,” Byberg said. “I wish it was longer.”

Byberg earns his living as a balloon pilot, flying year-round. In the winter he goes to Mexico.

Within minutes Byberg’s 105,000 cubic foot balloon was up. Onboard were ReMax Realtor Fred Greenwood and his daughter, Laura Greenwood, plus a Sun Journal reporter and a photographer.

The ascent was gentle, but fast. Byberg went high fast to clear other balloons. From the sky people on the ground began to shrink. The view of Lewiston-Auburn rooftops and balloons in the sky was breathtaking.

“Feel free to move around the cabin,” Byberg mused. “I hope you don’t have any toothpaste, or my air marshals will pick up on that.”

6:45 a.m.

We were flying over Auburn, but not far. Byberg went higher, then lower, trying to aim his balloon for the river so he could splash-and-dash. The balloon didn’t cooperate this time. Down below, people lined the pedestrian bridge, the Longley bridge, parks on both sides of the river, even on rooftops.

Imitating the famous ReMax commercial with the agent in the balloon, Fred leaned over and said to people on the bridge and joked: “I just sold your house.”

7 a.m.

The skies were chock-full of balloons. From the basket one could count 20 other balloons within view. When asked what’s the best part of piloting, Byberg answered “right now.”

There were so many balloons close together that at one point Byberg had to dodge other balloons. When another descended to touch the river, it ended up directly under Byberg, providing a double-decker balloon. “What happens when he comes up?” someone asked. Byberg swiftly filled his balloon with more propane to go higher.

It’s OK for balloons to bump each other side by side, but, “You don’t want the basket to go through the top of another balloon,” Byberg said. “I want to make sure he’s got enough room to clear the bridge.”

7:20 a.m.

Byberg had drifted back over toward Lewiston, and was now over the river. Touching the river with the basket is a big deal to pilots, Byberg said. “It’s kind of a fetish balloonists have. We’ll be able to do it now.”

The balloon went down, so close to the water you could see the river bottom. The balloon touched the river, which pleased Byberg and thrilled passengers. You can’t do a splash-and-dash at most festivals, he said. “We’re fortunate to have a lot of water here.”

7:40 a.m.

It was time to land. Never going too far from where he took off, Byberg attempted to land back in Railroad Park where his chase crew was still parked. It’s uncommon for a balloon to land where it took off, Byberg said. Because the balloon was directly over the concessions tent, and landing there wouldn’t do, the balloon went back up.

Byberg was hoping the wind would turn the balloon so he could try another park landing. The wind obeyed.

On the ground, his crew was waving and smiling as he cruised back. The basket landed softly. The crew grabbed and held the basket. Smiling, the passengers climbed out.

Byberg said he decided to stop working as a builder and become a pilot in 1990 “when I saw a balloon. I knew right away I wanted to do it.” He was so confident that he bought a balloon before ever riding in one.

More launches are scheduled from Railroad Park today and Sunday at 5:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.