Hot air balloons aren’t just a Lewiston-Auburn summer phenomenon, you know.
In 1967, the pop music group The 5th Dimension recorded the hit song “Up Up and Away” (in my beautiful balloon) and it was an instant hit. (Need to travel back in time? http://tinyurl.com/cy24wcz)
In 1956, the movie “Around the World in 80 Days” debuted, about a gentleman who claimed he could circumnavigate the Earth in 80 days in a hot air balloon and his many “mis-adventures” along the way. The movie was based on the 1873 novel by Jules Verne, the great science fiction writer.
But our fascination with hot air balloons actually goes back to Sept. 19, 1783, when French scientist Pilatre De Rosier launched the first hot air balloon with a sheep, a duck and a rooster as the first passengers; it stayed in the air for 15 minutes before crashing to the ground.
On Jan. 7, 1793, the first hot air balloon was launched in the U.S. and George Washington was there to watch. (For more hot-air balloon history: http://tinyurl.com/3dcdfxu)
So what is it about hot air balloons that seems to bring the kid out in all of us? Their colorful presence against the sky? The size? The shape? The geometric patterns? The enchantment of flying aloft, silently, in an open basket, soaring on the wind like a bird?
Whatever your reason, Lewiston-Auburn is going to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Great Falls Balloon Festival from Friday, Aug. 17, to Sunday evening, Aug. 19. So grab your cameras and your kids and check it out. The festival will offer a host of sights, sounds, tastes and activities throughout the three days. (Go to http://www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org for the schedule.)
But if you are looking for something to do away from the festival grounds in between the morning and evening launches, there are a number of interesting and unique opportunities in L-A, for residents and visitors alike. A few of our picks:
Androscoggin Balloon Adventures
Lewiston
783-4574
Fly local? We’ve been told by festival officials that Jim Rodrigue is the only L-A balloonist participating in the festival this year who also gives commercial rides. If you want to take a ride — during the festival or not — Rodrigue is your local connection. So, celebrate an event, check off another item on your bucket list or just get out and see how it feels to soar through the air. You can also connect with balloonists giving rides during the festival by going to the festival’s website or to the festival grounds at Simard-Payne Park in Lewiston.
The Bread Shack
1056 Center St.
Auburn
376-3090
There are some great bakeries in L-A. In this Olympic season, one of the standouts is The Bread Shack, whose owner, Dara Reimers, was on team U.S.A. for the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, often referred to as the World Cup or Olympics of baking. Yes there’s true artisan bread. And so much more.
Baxter Brewing Co.
130 Mill St.
Lewiston
333-6769
https://www.baxterbrewing.com/
Lewiston’s only brewery, owned by Auburn native Luke Livingston, is a must-see. Open Thursday through Sunday, tours of the facility start at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Located in the historic Bates Mill.
Mount Apatite Park
End of Stevens Mill Road behind the National Guard Armory
Auburn
http://tinyurl.com/2gwatg
This is a great park to go exploring and looking for gems. You’ll find mica all over the ground and embedded in rocks, along with tourmaline if you’re lucky. Maybe even some apatite. This is an easy walk with a slight incline and lots to see on the way. Bring some tools if you’re a real enthusiast. You never know . . .
Labadie’s Bakery
161 Lincoln St., Lewiston
207-784-7042
http://www.labadiesbakery.com/
Some say Maine is home to the first whoopie pie, and some say Labadie’s Bakery, which has been making them since at least 1925, is the first commercial baker. Don’t wait for the controversy — Pennsylvania also takes credit — to be resolved. Dig in. But buyer beware: The shop is only open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to noon.
Bethel Outdoor Adventures
Below Festival Plaza
Auburn
824-4224
Looking for a way to view the balloons from the river or just want to cool off and canoe or kayak down the Androscoggin River below Great Falls? Then check them out and go for a row.
Sundae’s Ice Cream Shoppe
213 Center St.
Auburn
777-0071
http://www.sundaesauburn.com/
L-A has lots of good ice cream places. (Is there such a thing as a bad ice cream place?) Here’s the Twin Cities’ newest, and unlike many, it caters to canines with its Doggie Bowl Sundae. What better treat for the dog days of summer. Woof!
Aida
Community Little Theatre
30 Academy St.
Auburn
783-0954 and [email protected]
CLT will be wrapping up its run of the Broadway smash “Aida” on Balloon Festival weekend, including a Sunday matinee. If you like music, singing and epic sword fights with your ballooning — and who doesn’t — Elton John and Tim Rice’s Tony Award-winner about an enslaved Egyptian princess and her warrior lover are a perfect complement.
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