BALLOON LAUNCHES

The best times for balloon launches are just after sunrise and one or two hours before sunset. This is the time of day when the winds are calmest and the air the most stable. Actual launch times may vary depending on weather conditions. Moon glows (hot air balloons tethered and lit up with propane) will happen in the evening, following the return of the balloons to the field after the evening flight.

CLOUDHOPPER

This year, the festival will welcome back Rick Jones of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and his cloudhopper balloon, Footloose. Cloudhoppers are one-person, experimental balloons. Look for Footloose at each launch.

Things To Do

When the balloons aren’t overhead, there is still plenty to do: Along the walkway, which follows the river and winds along the edge of the festival grounds, craft and trade booths invite browsing and a children’s area entertains everyone from toddlers to tweens. Live music can be enjoyed throughout the day and night on two stages, Simard-Payne Memorial Park and Festival Plaza. From children’s shows and blues singers to jazz, pop, and oldies, there is something for everyone. A carnival, parade and various demonstrations and contests round out the weekend’s events. And don’t miss Family Fun Day on Sunday!

Things To Eat

Scallops, lobster rolls, clam cakes, hamburgers, sausage sandwiches and so much more, all brought to you by volunteers from local nonprofit groups. Join us for a pancake breakfast Saturday and Sunday from 6-10 a.m.

PARKING

Parking for the festival is available at the Lincoln Street Garage, the Chestnut Street Garage and two parking lots along Lincoln Street. The nonprofit groups manning these lots welcome your donations. Handicap parking is available just over the bridge, inside the main gate to Simard-Payne Memorial Park. The Auburn Municipal Parking Garage also has many handicap spaces and is convenient to the Shuttle Bus.

SHUTTLE SERVICE

Northeast Charter and Tours of Auburn is generously donating a free shuttle bus for the festival. This bus will run from downtown Auburn to Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston throughout the weekend. First stop: Court and Main Streets in Auburn. (Over the Longley Bridge, right onto Lincoln Street.) Second stop: Lincoln and Beech Streets in Lewiston. (Proceed to the South Bridge into New Auburn, right on South Main Street.) Third stop: Bonney Park, Auburn. (Left onto Elm Street, right onto High Street, right onto Court Street. Return to first stop at Main and Court Streets.)