Great Falls Balloon Festival

August 19 - August 21, 2011

Veteran's Memorial Park
Lewiston, ME United States
Year began: 1992

The Great Falls Balloon Festival was started in 1992 by a group of civic-minded individuals who saw a need for a community event that would enable various local non-profit groups to raise awareness to their cause, while raising money and promoting the Lewiston-Auburn area (L/A East as it is known locally) as a tourist destination. Located on the banks of the beautiful Androscoggin River, the Festival quickly became a huge success, attracting crowds of approximately 100,000 visitors annually.

The river, with its backdrop of the rocky Great Falls, provides a picturesque setting for the thirty to forty Balloons which visit annually, including some special shape balloons.
Launches are scheduled for 6 am and 6 pm daily, Friday through Sunday, weather permitting.

In addition to the balloons, the Festival features 30 different food booths serving everything from soup to nuts, including breakfast for those early morning launches, all run by volunteers from local non-profit groups. Along the walkway, which spans the river and winds along the edge of the Festival grounds, craft and trade booths invite browsing, and a children’s area entertains toddlers to teens. Music is provided by many different entertainers, from children’s shows to blues singers, to jazz, pop, and oldies. A carnival, parade, and various demonstrations and contests round out the weekend events.

From Points North
Take the Maine Turnpike (I-95) to Exit 80 (fomerly Exit 13) - Lewiston. At the end, turn left and follow signs for Lewiston on to Lisbon Street. Continue on Lisbon Street through the downtown. At the intersection of Main and Lisbon Street turn left. At next light, turn left onto Lincoln Street. Veteran's Memorial Park will be on your right. Parking will be along the left on Lincoln Street and railroad Park is one block to your right.



From Points South
Take the Maine Turnpike (I-95) to Exit 75 (fomerly Exit12) - Auburn. At the exit turn left and follow Washington Street / Minot Avenue to the intersection with Court Street. Turn right onto Court Street. Cross the bridge into Lewiston. Take first right onto Lincoln Street. Parking will be along the left on Lincoln Street and Railroad Park is one block to your right.

Web Site: http://www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org/
Email: info at greatfallsballoonfestival dot org