LEWISTON — A lighter-than-air spectacle is poised to return this weekend to Lewiston-Auburn in the shape of an owl, a ladybug and a beaver.
Three specialty balloons — Ms. Whooty, Lady Bug and Bud E. Beaver — are at the center of the 19th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival and this year’s theme, “Critters in the Clouds.”
Organizers hope to draw as many as 110,000 people to the three-day event that kicks off on Friday morning. If weather cooperates, the festival plans to launch 29 balloons over six scheduled launches.
For the people who get to ride, the experience will be memorable, promised festival President Rick O’Brien.
“It’s just incredible,” said O’Brien, who has flown once. “Some people worry about the heights and all of that. I’m pretty certain that we were 15 or 20 feet in the air before I realized we were moving.”
For folks on the ground, there should be plenty to see between Lewiston’s Simard-Payne Memorial Park and Auburn’s Festival Plaza.
“Wander,” O’Brien said. “It’s the best thing to do at any festival.”
People accustomed to this festival will see what they’re used to, including live music, burgers and blooming onions, he said. But there will also be belly dancing by Imari & the Sahara Desert Dancers and Andean music by Inca Son. Aether Arts is scheduled to perform a fire show.
“It’s a show where they use some fire sticks and fire hula hoops,” Treasurer Mell Hamlyn said. “It will be pretty exciting.”
The biggest worry at the festival is the perennial one: the weather.
Rain or wind could scrub the morning and evening scheduled launches. Fewer launches and dour weather would mean fewer visitors. The sun and calm winds needed for ballooning could swell crowds.
The early forecast is gloomy.
On Aug. 12, the Internet site weather.com called for at least a little rain during each of the three days.
“I’ve taken a quick peek at the forecast,” Hamlyn said. “I’m just going to close my eyes and look again tomorrow.”
The 2009 festival — unfortunately themed World of Water — was drenched with rain, fog and wind. Many balloons never launched, and the festival lost money, relying on its reserve money to stay afloat.
“It’s not only tough for the festival, but for the nonprofit organizations that are there to raise funds for their causes,” Hamlyn said.
In all, 32 different organizations — from cheerleaders and churches to Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army — either seek donations or sell food at the festival. For some, it is their biggest fundraiser of the year.
“They suffer as well if the weather is not optimal,” Hamlyn said.
In 2010, the festival rebounded with good weather and high attendance.
“Last year was one of our better years,” O’Brien said.
He has high hopes for this year.
“I can’t say that we’ve scrimped at all this year,” he said. “And there’s still no charge.”
However, people will be asked for donations at the entrances. The money will be split between the nonprofits and the city of Lewiston, which worked hard to repair the bridge at the park’s entrance prior to the festival.
“It’s a small token of our appreciation,” Hamlyn said.
dhartill@sunjournal.com
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- Ava Cairns, 5, of Topsham, waves goodbye to a balloon lifting off on the Saturday evening balloon launch at the 2010 Great Falls Balloon festival from on top of her father William’s shoulders.
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