The 19th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival will be held along the banks of the Androscoggin River on Aug. 19-21, with balloons launching twice daily at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., weather-permitting from Simard Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston.

Festivities will kick off Friday morning and continue through the early evening on Sunday.

This year’s theme “Critters in the Clouds” is a reference to the special-shaped balloons: Hootie the Owl, Annie the Ladybug and Bud E. Beaver.

Guitar extraordinaire Denny Breau, local icons Terry & The Telstars and the Don Campbell Band will join more than 20 other musicians and entertainers at Simard Payne Park and Festival Plaza in Auburn.

Don Campbell, a Maine native and Nashville import, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of his first CD and is preparing to release his 10th studio album this fall. He will perform new music as well as fan favorites at the festival on Saturday, Aug. 20.

“I love the L-A community and have been looking forward to bringing the band show to town all year,” Campbell said from his studio.

Campbell, a winner of the National True Value (now Texaco) Country Showdown at the Grand Ole Opry, has been a full-time independent singer-songwriter and recording artist for more than a decade and splits his time based from his studio in Portland and his second home/studio in Nashville. He has opened for a long list of country, folk and rock music greats, including Carrie Underwood, Randy Travis, America, Three Dog Night, Shawn Colvin and Toby Keith.

Other artists scheduled to perform are Boston-based guitarist Johnny A.; the Jason Spooner Trio, adult contemporary rock; the Mallett Brothers Band, alt-country musicians and sons of legendary folk singer Dave Mallett; Phatgrass, a hard-driving bluegrass band; Fender Bender, classic rock band; Sidecar Heroes, mid-coast a cappella vocal group; The NitPickers, traditional bluegrass as well as original and newgrass music; The Boneheads, rock and bluesy fun; Cribstone Bridge, folkgrass band; Broad Street Band, classic rock and blues; Community Band & Camp of Rock; Imari’s Sahara Desert Dancers, belly dancers; and the 15-year-old Veayo Twins, harmonies and original melodies.

“Whether you come for the entertainment or for the many food booths hosted by local nonprofit groups or for the children’s area, the field demonstrations, the crafters and artists, the carnival or the memorable experience of watching the balloons launch (or maybe even take a ride in one), you will certainly enjoy this free community event,” said Rick O’Brien, president of the festival’s board of directors.

Dr. John Reeder, longtime local chiropractor and professional hot-air balloon pilot, will coordinate the launches. Last year, five of six scheduled launches were able to get off the ground.

“When you’re flying, you get the sense that you’re floating,” said Reeder, who has been flying for about 25 years. “I like flying low and going right over the tops of the trees and interacting with people watching from the ground. On the morning flights, they’ll often come outside in their night clothes.”

The 15-year-old Veayo Twins are among the many musicians/singers scheduled to perform at the 19th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival. Kristen is a guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. Katherine is a drummer and keyboardist and provides back-up vocals. The sisters and their music will be featured in a national documentary film, “Bullied To Silence,” scheduled for release this fall. They have performed for a Jonas Brothers softball challenge and at the New Britain Stadium in Connecticut, New York City’s Webster Hall, Gillette Stadium and Boston’s Hard Rock Cafe. The Veayo Twins will follow Camp of Rock, playing from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21, on the Lewiston Stage in Railroad Park.

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