Participants watch the hot air balloons Aug. 19, 2023, at the Great Falls Balloon Festival held in Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

The Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival provides an experience that is rare in the world of hot air balloons. At most festivals, spectators are not allowed in the area where the balloons are launching.

However, there are challenges that come along with having such an up-close-and-personal venue. Our main launch site is small, our visiting balloons are huge and our visitors are smitten. However, our pilots and crews need a lot of space! They also need to be able to see and hear each other to keep themselves and everyone else on the field safe.

Maintaining a safe environment is our top priority and it is crucial to the future of the festival. We take safety measures very seriously. Here are some things to keep in mind at the festival:

The big five “don’ts”

Don’t smoke. Visiting balloons carry tanks full of propane gas, creating a very obvious fire hazard. It can also damage the balloon envelopes. Smoking is prohibited.

Don’t bring pets. With the exception of service animals, there are no pets allowed on the festival grounds.

Don’t bring your wheels. This means bicycles, scooters, skateboards, roller skates or even unicycles! The walkways around the park have a high level of foot traffic, especially at launch times.

Don’t drink. Alcohol is prohibited on festival grounds.

No drones are allowed

Also not allowed

• No outside food or beverages, except as provided under permitted items.

• No sticks or clubs (except walking stick or canes)

• No glass containers or bottles

• No hard-sided coolers or containers, regardless of size

• No fish nets/poles, umbrellas or signs attached to sticks

• No bullhorns, noisemakers or confetti

• No animals, except service dogs

• No beach balls, balloons or inflatables

• No skateboards, rollerblades or shoes with wheels

• No unauthorized motor vehicles or mobility devices

• No squirt guns or bubble-making liquids

• No laser pointers

• Operation, possession and/or use of unmanned aerial vehicle, unmanned aerial system, remote controlled aircraft, or drones on or over Salt River Fields property is prohibited.

• Other items not specified on this list as deemed prohibited by management.

Allowed to bring

• One per person: backpack or bag

• Blankets

• Folding chairs are allowed

Where To Park

• Handicap accessible parking at 2 Beech St. (no charge)

• Farmers Market Lot at 2 Oxford St. (parking lot will be used by Farmer’s Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday) operated by and donation proceeds to benefit LA Farmers Market

• Lincoln Street Garage at 16 Lincoln St. operated by and donation proceeds to benefit Edward Little High School Boys Basketball Team

• Chestnut Street Parking Garage at 29 Chestnut St. operated by and donation proceeds to benefit Lewiston High School Girls Softball Team

• Continental Mill Parking Lot at 4 Cedar St. (accessible via Oxford Street) operated by and donation proceeds to benefit the Franco Center

Tickets

Tickets are not needed to enter the festival.

Launch site

Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston is our main launch site.

Launch time

Launches are scheduled at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. throughout the weekend and are weather permitting. This includes wind and clouds, as well as more obvious conditions like rain and lightning.

In the event of inclement weather or questionable conditions, our Balloonmeister will wait as long as they can in hopes of a change. However, a launch decision may be delayed by up to an hour if weather conditions are changing. Ideally, the balloons will launch by 6:45 p.m. This time frame provides a fair ride for our passengers and gets everyone back on the ground before the daylight runs out.

Be ready to relocate

If you’ve found yourself a spot right in the middle of the field, chances are you probably won’t get to stay there. At launch time, if
you’re on the main field at Simard-Payne Park, there is a strong possibility that you will be asked to move-possibly more than once.

In addition, please give the balloon vehicles the right-of-way when you are entering or exiting the field. We also ask that you take care not to step on the fabric of the balloon envelope when the balloons are on the ground.

Chasing balloons

Chasing balloons can be an exciting way to participate in the festival. Keep your focus on the road if you spot a balloon while driving. Pullover to the side of the road and watch the balloon safely from there. Be careful not to drive or walk onto private property without landowner permission.

We ask that all folks involved with the festival-spectators, volunteers and balloonists alike-be respectful of landowners’ rights
and responsibilities.

ATMs

There is an ATM available at Simard-Payne Memorial Park near the information/souvenir booth.

First Aid Booth

We will have a first aid booth in the blue building with medical sign and will have an EMT on duty during the event.