Jim Rodrigue, far left, gives the disappointing news to Chip Morrison, left, his son Brett, grandson Aaron, and granddaughter Sara that the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival balloon launch had been canceled Friday morning due to visibility concerns. The Morrisons had traveled from Maryland to go on a balloon ride and visit family. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Bruce Byberg, center, and his crew inflate the Re/Max hot air balloon for display Friday morning during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The Balloon Meister, who is responsible for making safety decisions, canceled the morning’s launch after thick fog inhibited visibility. Typically, balloons are only launched in the early morning or at dusk when air currents are most stable. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

A crown line keeps control of the balloon while it is still on the ground Friday during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Keith Sproul sits directly on top of a fuel tank Friday morning as he takes a tethered ride over the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The Balloon Meister, who is responsible for making safety decisions, canceled the morning’s launch after thick fog inhibited visibility. Typically, balloons are only launched in the early morning or at dusk when air currents are most stable. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Mark Fritze fires the burners on his hot air balloon “Dogonit” on Friday morning at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

“Spyderpig,” one of the 2024 specialty shape balloons, makes its first appearance Friday morning at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Balloons were either “stood up” or tethered during the morning’s launch. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

“Alien Rocket,” one of the 2024 specialty shape balloons, makes its first appearance Friday morning at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston next to the black and multicolored “Redeemed” balloon. Balloons were either “stood up” or tethered during the morning’s launch. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Ali Szabo, left, David Stewart, and Rich Lorenz share a laugh while folding up a hot air balloon Friday at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The three, who live scattered around the country, met through ballooning and crew for hot air balloon pilot Keith Sproul. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal