Anita Stevens, in pink, prepares for her first hot air balloon ride Saturday during the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Sabrina MacDonald holds open the Sunrise Passion balloon Saturday at the Great Falls Balloon Festival. The hot air balloons are initially inflated with giant fans before propane flame burners are used. The annual festival is held at Simard Payne Park in Lewiston.
A Kora Shrine clown greets paradegoers Saturday in Lewiston during the Great Falls Ballon Festival parade.
Tracy Lehman looks back at Kagen Babcock on Saturday at the Great Falls Balloon Festival as they do a circuit around the Tailwinds balloon to make sure it is inflating correctly. The annual festival is held at Simard Payne Park in Lewiston.
Pilot Penny Christie fires the burner Saturday in her Sky Petals balloon during the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Hot air balloons take off Saturday morning during the third launch of the 2022 Great Falls Balloon Festival.
Hot air balloons take off Saturday morning during the third launch of the 2022 Great Falls Balloon Festival.
Pilot Penny Christie, center, prepares for her flight Saturday in her Sky Petals balloon as volunteers Penny Gary, left, and Katie Stowe provide a bit of ballast during the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Hot air balloons take off Saturday morning during the third launch of the 2022 Great Falls Balloon Festival.
A Kora Shrine "criminal" makes a dash when confronted with a lifesize police car Saturday in Lewiston during the Great Falls Ballon Festival parade.
Hot air balloons lift off from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Saturday morning launch. The popular three-day festival has been on hold for two years.
Jim Rodrigue's balloon, left, takes off Saturday morning before the other balloons in the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston. Rodrigue is a Lewiston resident.
Jim Rodrigue's balloon performs a water dip Saturday morning in the Androscoggin River during the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston. A water dip is a popular hot air balloon trick where the basket dips into the water and then takes off again.
Volunteers, crew and onlookers mingle Saturday among the inflating hot air balloons at Simard Payne Park during the Saturday launch of the Great Falls Balloon Festival.
Kora Shrine mini-motorcycles round out the parade Saturday in Lewiston during the Great Falls Ballon Festival.
Hot air balloons lift off from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Saturday morning launch. The popular three-day festival has been on hold for two years.
Tony Richard, left, holds open a hot air balloon Saturday at the Great Falls Balloon Festival for the initial inflation by a fan. The annual festival is held at Simard Payne Park in Lewiston.
A hot air balloonist fires up his propane burner Saturday in Lewiston during the Great Falls Ballon Festival parade.
Tico the Sloth, right, is a specialty balloon making its first appearance at the Great Falls Balloon Festival. It is being prepared to launch Saturday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston.
Crew members straighten out the top of the Sky Petals balloon Saturday at the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
The Sunrise Passion hot air balloon drifts over the Androscoggin River as spectators watch from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Saturday morning launch. The popular three-day festival has been on hold for two years.
A hot air balloons drifts Saturday over Auburn as spectators watch from the banks of the Androscoggin River.
The Sunrise Passion hot air balloon drifts over the Androscoggin River as spectators watch from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Saturday morning launch. The popular three-day festival has been on hold for two years.
Tico the Sloth, right, is a specialty balloon making its first appearance at the Great Falls Balloon Festival. It is being prepared to launch Saturday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston.
Gov. Janet Mills, center, poses for a selfie Saturday with Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline, left, and other campaign volunteers in Lewiston during the Great Falls Balloon Festival parade.
The Sunrise Passion hot air balloon flies over Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Saturday morning launch. The popular three-day festival has been on hold for two years.
Hot air balloons lift off from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Saturday morning launch. The popular three-day festival has been on hold for two years. Tico The Sloth is a specialty balloon making its first appearance at the festival.
Hot air balloons prepare to lift off from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Saturday morning launch. The popular three-day festival has been on hold for two years.
A hot air balloon drifts over Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Saturday morning launch. The popular three-day festival has been on hold for two years.
Tico the Sloth, right, is a specialty balloon making its first appearance at the Great Falls Balloon Festival. It is being prepared to launch Saturday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston.
Hot air balloons prepare to lift off from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Saturday morning launch. The popular three-day festival has been on hold for two years.
