The Great Falls Balloon Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary with this year’s festival, to be held August 17th through 19th. The festival, which includes hot air balloon launches, live music, food, crafts, and a carnival, is generously sponsored by various businesses and organizations and hosted by the cities of Lewiston and Auburn. Some sponsors, like Dunkin’ Donuts, have sponsored the festival since its first year.

“The sponsors are very important to the festival, and we couldn’t have the festival we have without them,” said Mell Hamlyn, the festival’s sponsorship chair. “It allows us to keep the festival at no cost to the festival-goers and allows us to bring in some top-notch entertainment.”

Great Falls Insurance Co. is sponsoring the festival for the first time this year. “We’re relatively new and headquartered in Auburn,” said Keith Smaldon, director of business development. “We are a part of the community and want to support the community any way we possibly can.”

Gary Hemenway, of Payroll Management, a sponsor of several years, shares the sentiment. “I do it because it’s good for the community,” Hemenway said.

The balloons are the main draw of the festival, and sponsors allow the festival to attract more balloons. Not only that, but the festival is an opportunity for schools and other nonprofit organizations to raise money for important causes via food sales. “All of the food vendors represent nonprofit organizations,” Hamlyn said.

“When you get a couple hundred thousand people coming in,” said Hemenway, “it gives us a chance to raise some money for our favorite nonprofits, which helps the community … it’s a lot of fun and it’s a great opportunity for fellowship.”

Sponsorship also allows businesses to get their names out there and in front of the thousands of locals and visitors who attend the yearly festival. “It’s a tremendous value for the money,” said Smaldon, who personally plans to take a ride in one of the balloons.

Cash sponsors are not the only supporters that make the festival possible. “The cities of Lewiston-Auburn are great in-kind sponsors as well,” Hamlyn said. “They both provide us with labor that is an integral part of our festival.” Such labor includes help from the Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Health departments, as well as from the police and fire departments. All of these volunteers help the festival run smoothly and safely. Local print advertising is provided by the Sun Journal, Twin City Times, and Turner Publishing.

Sponsors are happy and proud to support the event. “The Balloon Festival is a great attraction for the L-A of the East,” said Hemenway. “It gives a lot of people an opportunity to see Lewiston-Auburn at its best.”

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