When the balloons aren’t overhead, there are still lots of things to do at the Festival. Here is just sampling of what’s going on throughout the weekend.
Moonglow
Friday night
Following the return of the pilots to the field after the evening flight, pilots will inflate their balloons and light their burners for a ground level light show. (Rain date Saturday).
Pirates of the Dark Rose
Saturday & Sunday
Captain Crudbeard n’ his crew are chartin’ a course to this year’s Festival! Join the crew of the Dark Rose on Saturday and Sunday for pirate fights, artillery and weapons demos, cannon and cutlass lessons and buccaneer bootcamp for kids! Visit the Festival website at www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org for complete details on Pirates of the Dark Rose activities.
Basilica Tours
Saturday & Sunday, 1–3 p.m.
The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, located at 122 Ash Street in Lewiston, will be offering tours on Saturday and Sunday from 1–3 p.m. Transportation is provided from the Main Gate at Simard-Payne Memorial Park.
Pancake Breakfasts
Saturday & Sunday, 6–10 a.m.
Come for the launches and stay for breakfast! $6/person gets you pancakes, blueberry pancakes, Mailhot’s sausage, coffee, tea and milk. Proceeds benefit the Great Falls Balloon Festival.
Pancakes with Pirates
Saturday, 8–10 a.m.
Arrr … pirates love pancakes, too! Eat yer breakfast wit’ the crew o’ the Dark Rose under the big tent.
Festival Parade
Saturday, 11 a.m.
The Festival parade will roll through downtown Auburn and Lewiston on Saturday morning. Visitors will get to see Kora performance groups, monster trucks, hot cars, dancers and more. Beginning at the intersection of Academy and High Streets in Auburn, the parade will proceed down Academy, left onto Main Street, right onto Court Street, over the bridge, then right onto Lincoln Street and will disperse at the intersection of Lincoln and Chestnut Streets in Lewiston.
After the parade, come back to the field for cannon lessons with Captain Crudbeard of the Dark Rose Pirates!
Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt — Free Samples!
All Weekend
The Dannon Oikos Truck will be at Simard-Payne Memorial Park all weekend offering free samples.
Children’s Area
All Weekend
Bring the kiddos down to the festival and check out the Children’s Area, run by the Lewiston High School Swim Team Boosters! All proceeds go entirely to support the team.
Activities range in price from 10 cents for a try at the dime toss game to a $5 donation for a pony ride. Other activities include: a bounce house, face painting, games and prizes.
Family Fun Day
Sunday 9 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
We’ll kick off Family Fun Day with a Fun Run for the kids. Then meet Oreo, Captain Curdbeard’s pet African Raven, watch a Pirate Puppet Show and get a lesson in pirate dentistry when the Dark Rose Pirates present “Tooth Worms.” And as always, there will be face painting, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos and t-shirt decorating. Be one of the first in line to register for Family Fun Day and you’ll receive a goodie bag full o’ pirate loot! The best part? All activities at Family Fun Day are FREE!
Balloon Festival Criterium (hosted by Rainbow Bicycle)
Sunday, 9:30 a.m.
Bicycle races on a 1 mile loop of Lisbon and Canal Streets. Pro, amateur, women’s, junior and kid’s races. Racing starts at 9:30am. Call Rainbow Bicycle at 207-784-7576 or Busytown Bikes at 207-241-3233. Spectators are free.
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