The final launch of the 2022 Great Falls Balloon Festival was grounded due to wind.

A parade, live music, vendors and balloons, plenty of balloons, highlighted the festival's return after being grounded the past two years.

Photos from Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston where the weekend festival lifted off.

By early Friday night, as the grounds at Simard-Payne Memorial Park were very quickly filling up, the balloon festival was already on a roll, thanks to a near-flawless morning launch.

The crowd collectively smiles — phones aloft and pointed toward the people waving goodbye from above, Marla Hoffman writes.

Weather looks promising and plenty of blooming onion sauce on hand. 'When we run out of Boom Boom Sauce,' people get angry.

'Returning from the Wild' is the theme for the 28th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival.

The annual Great Falls Balloon Festival kicked off Friday. Test your festival knowledge for a chance to win a prize.

The balloon festival starts at 6 a.m. Friday with the first launch of the weekend.

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.

Balloon rides are available for launches throughout the weekend.

Crew members are needed for the morning and evening flights throughout the weekend.

After a two year hiatus, the festival is scheduled to launch at 6 a.m. Friday.

After two years without many of the Twin Cities' signature celebrations, all are set to return this year.

Organizers cited the pandemic mandates and the number of visitors drawn to the three-day festival.

There's no balloon festival this year but a couple balloon pilots take off Saturday morning.

There's no balloon festival this year but a couple balloon pilots hoped to take off Saturday morning.

Here is a selection of videos of launches from past balloon festivals from various viewpoints.

Rolly's Diner in Auburn does not let a canceled festival prevent it from decorating like it does every year.