LEWISTON — For the 21st year, the skies over Lewiston and Auburn will be filled with colorful balloons, music and the smell of fried dough starting Friday.

Festivities kick off at 6 a.m. at Simard/Payne Memorial Park with a balloon launch. Festival Marketing Director Christina Noonan said she is looking forward to some nice weather for this year’s event, which carries a beach party theme.

With visitors, including Waddles the Snowbird, a giant penguin flown by Diane Karlson of Plano, Texas, and Claw’d the Crazy Crab, flown by Jim Regan of Kensington, Conn., Noonan hopes the beach theme will be conveyed from above.

Noonan said there will be a total of 21 balloons this year, including the “special shape” attendees.

“We have a couple of new things this year,” Noonan said, announcing a pancake breakfast Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 10 a.m. “so people can eat breakfast while watching the balloons go up.”

Noonan also said this year will also have bingo sponsored by the Lewiston High School Music Association.

The celebration begins in earnest at 4 p.m., when food vendors and the carnival commences. According to Noonan, all of the food vendors are nonprofit, which is in keeping with the festival’s purpose to provide a venue for nonprofit groups to raise money.

In Auburn’s Festival Plaza, food and music are scheduled all weekend.

The evening continues with music, bingo and the Imara Belly Dancers, followed by another balloon launch at 6 p.m. and “moon glows” each night at 9 p.m., in which ballooners fire up their gas and light up the night.

Saturday begins with another launch at 6 a.m. followed by a pancake breakfast under the tent until 10 a.m.

Booths and carnival attractions open at 10, with a parade starting at 11. The parade begins at Festival Plaza, marching toward Lewiston.

Noonan mentioned the possibility of Auburn backing out of the festival this year but is relieved that has been averted. “We are back in Auburn and we’re very happy to be there,” she said.

Afternoon festivities begin with demonstrations from Girls of Power Zumba and Pelletier’s Karate Academy.

From 3 to 6 p.m., balloons will be tethered for an up-close and personal ballooning experience.

Saturday evening’s music will be provided by Denny Breau, and Terry and the Telstars, followed by moon glows.

Sunday will see another 6 a.m. launch with pancakes served until 10 a.m., followed by Family Fun Day. Events beginning at 9 a.m. will include a fun run, a diaper dash, T-shirt and face painting, Mad Science, Sparks Ark animal show and Dan Grady’s Marionette Medley.

Food and carnival attractions will open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Balloons will be tethered from 3 to 6 p.m. with a launch at 6 and moon glows at 9 p.m.

All three days will be filled with music, crafts, games and amusements. Shuttles will run from downtown Auburn to events all weekend.

Grateful for all the volunteer efforts this year, Noonan said her crew will not rest long. “We will start planning as soon as the festival’s over,” she said.

dmcintire@sunjournal.com

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