Not long after sunrise, Bob Greenwood, 62, and his wife, Sandi Greenwood, 66, walked up to one of the two ReMax balloons.

The crew had the balloon spread flat on the ground, ready to fill it with air. Along with 19 other balloons on the field, it soon came to life. The 15th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival at the Simard/Payne Memorial Park, formerly Railroad Park, had begun.

The Greenwoods climbed in the basket and were welcomed by pilot Bruce Byberg of Woodstock, Conn. Byberg’s full-time, year-round job is to fly a hot air balloon for ReMax.

Over the sound of a balloon filling – swoosh – someone joked to Sandi, “Click your heels, Dorothy.”

This was the first balloon ride for the couple, who live in Greene. “She’s been wanting to go for five years,” Bob said.

“Well, we went to the Grand Canyon last year,” she said. “This year we’re doing the balloon.”

The pilot looked up, studying his balloon’s shape, as he talked to his crew. They were holding onto the basket.

“I’m ready,” Byberg announced.

With five people in the small basket and the balloon now billowing out, the ground crew let go. The balloon lifted.

“We’re off!” several in the basket shouted, hooting and cheering.

Within seconds the balloon was high above the park. To the left and right, balloons the colors of the rainbow were everywhere, creating a spectacular sight. The winds were gentle, allowing balloons to hang together.

“This is awesome,” Bob said. They didn’t tell their four children they were flying Friday. “We’ll e-mail them pictures.”

Now the balloon seemed to almost touch the top of the pedestrian bridge. On the bridge spectators were looking up, taking pictures. Riders in baskets had their cameras out too, taking pictures.

Looking out and down in the early morning, the view of Lewiston-Auburn was magnificent. “We have all this fun before most people get out of bed,” the pilot said.

Down in the park the last few balloons were rising. The huge specialty balloon, The Cake, had taken shape and was rising.

Winds carried the balloons toward New Auburn.

The best part of piloting, Byberg said, “is the takeoff. The excitement on the ground.” Generally balloon rides last an hour. They fly “from treetops to a couple of thousand feet” high.

Balloons floated over the Little Androscoggin River and homes. Homes eventually gave way to trees, then farms. Swoosh sounds from balloons seemed to startle a horse and cows below. Cows in a pen ran into a barn. The sounds of a rooster crowing could easily be heard.

Looking around him, Byberg pointed to balloons he recognized. Way off in the distance was the Bear Ship. Closer were Great Balls of Fire and the Last Penny.

By 7:25 a.m., his balloon had crossed the Maine Turnpike and was coming down into Morin Brick Co. The chase crew was already there.

“I anticipate a gentle landing,” Byberg said, and he delivered one.

“I’m glad you talked me into this,” Bob Greenwood said to his wife.

After the ReMax landed, two more balloons were coming down, aiming for the same landing spot.

“This is the Last Penny, reporting for duty,” said pilot Bill Colyer of Fairfield, Conn., after he landed. Colyer gushed about the perfect flying conditions. “I’ve always had great success in Lewiston-Auburn. I’ve been coming here for 15 years.”

Landing behind him was The Tailwind flown by Jim Rodrigue of Lewiston.

Scott Lessard of Lewiston was on the ground helping the Last Penny land. “I just love it,” Lessard said.

Spectator David Colbath said he came from New Gloucester to watch. “We get up and make sure we see this,” he said with a smile.

After the morning launch, festival President John Davis called it “absolutely perfect.” Twenty balloons, plus two specialty balloons, The Cake and The Beagle Maximus, were able to take off. The specialty balloons were only expected to tether, but conditions were so good they launched, Davis said.

“We could not have asked for a better turnout,” Davis said. “We had lots of positive comments from spectators and fans.”

Business was brisk at stands selling souvenirs and food. “We’re all thrilled with how things are starting,” Davis said. “Looking good.”

Around 8:30 a.m., Byberg was back at the launch park, surrounded by his passengers and crew. He popped the cork off a champagne bottle. Cups were raised as Byberg toasted. “Here’s to beautiful weather, a beautiful flight, a great job chasing, and new friends.”

More balloon launches are scheduled at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. today and Sunday.