LEWISTON — At 5 p.m., the infield at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston felt empty except for the pesky lines stretching from food tents and the even longer wait to rise above the crowd in the Going Batty Balloon. The 20th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival was in its final hours.

A crowd gathered on one side to watch the Cribstone Bridge Band picking some serious bluegrass on stage, while other event-goers strolled the outer walkway where dozens of vendors featured everything from kitchenware to candles. Others — namely those with children — took one last spin on The Zipper before the carnival left town.

But by shortly before 6 p.m. there wasn’t a blade of grass to be seen on the huge field in the center of the park as thousands gathered for the final balloon launch for the Twin Cities’ biggest festival. The launch capped off not only the 20th anniversary of the festival, but also what organizers are calling one of the most successful balloon festivals to date.

“We did great. The numbers are still coming in, but it looks like it’s going to be a banner year,” festival Treasurer Mell Hamlyn said. “The weather cooperated. The people have been coming out, and the vendors seem very pleased with the turnout.”

As with past years, Hamlyn estimated the overall weekend attendance at about 100,000. She said that the event raises more than $200,000 for area nonprofit groups who set up food booths at the event and man the parking garages around town.

Given the success of this year’s milestone, Hamlyn said chances are good that the money raised could top the event’s record year of $210,000.

In addition to the 32 nonprofit groups benefiting from the festival, dozens of craft and trade vendors also had booths at the event. Another four nonprofit groups raised money manning local parking lots.

“To me, it’s all about community,” said Lynnette Morency, coach of the Lewiston High School cheerleading squad. “This community is very generous to us, and this is our way to give back.”

Morency said all of the squad’s 31 members worked the root beer float and ice cream sundae stand throughout the festival’s three days. Each worked at least one two-hour shift, and many spent even more time helping to raise money for their team.

The longtime cheerleading coach said the festival is a great place for nonprofits to showcase what they do, while raising money for their cause. For her squad in particular, the event is special because a lot of younger, aspiring cheerleaders come to the booth looking up to the members of the school’s championship team.

“It’s all good causes,” said Michelle Dumais of Auburn, who came out for Sunday’s final launch with her husband and two children. “All the foods are for nonprofits, so you’re giving back to the community. Plus, you get to see everyone you know.”

Sunday’s trip to the weekend festival was actually the second for the family. Eight-year-old Bryson said they missed the launch Friday because bad weather grounded the balloons. Six-year-old Jillian Dumais, on the other hand, had more important things to do — namely make her way to the fried dough food tent.

While one 6-year-old knew exactly where she was headed, another was just happy to be hanging out with family. Little Isaiah Simpson enjoyed everything about the festival — even hanging out with his big sister, 8-year-old Ava.

“We like the music and the food and the balloons and the other attractions,” Gail Burwood of Waterville said. “It’s just a good way to spend a family fun day.”

ahannon@sunjournal.com

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