Denny Breau performs on the main stage Saturday night during at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

LEWISTON, August 17, 2024 – Darren Dockery, of Lewiston, shows off his blooming onions Saturday night that he was bringing back to his family during the balloon festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. “I have lived here for the past 20 years but only seen the balloons from far away and wanted to come see them up close.” (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal) Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Rotarian Roger Theriault pulls a batch of french fries out of the fryer Saturday night during at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. While the balloons did not launch Saturday night, nonprofits and vendors were busy serving the massive crowd. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Alena Brown paints the face of Axelia Maloney on Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Nicole Hastings, left, and Tim Osborne fence Saturday afternoon at their encampment at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. They are part of the Society for Creative Anachronism. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Pete Preble and his grandchildren play a water game Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. From left are Preble, Chloe Bright, Forrest Wade and River Wade. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Ellie Nicklasson swings her cousin, Adelynn Chapman, as Ellyanna Chapman waits for her turn Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Children play inside the Damn Yankee walk through balloon Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Patrons line up for food Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

J Anthony Fiori draws a caricature of Darren Dees and Lindsey Doyon Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

People scream as they ride the Pharaoh’s Fury ride Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Edward Bartlett takes a photo of his wife, Mara, left, and Mabel on Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Russell Jeffords carves out a wood pumpkin at his booth, Stonehedge Events & Camping on Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Norman Schneider, left, relaxes in the magic chair he just purchased as he talks with his former longtime co-worker, Bill Lombardi, Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Schneider summers in Casco, but Lombardi lives in Boston and came up hoping to watch the balloons take off. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

People scream as they ride Pharaoh’s Fury on Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal