The Crown of Maine Balloon Fest will return to Presque Isle later this month.
A celebration of summer and the scenic activity of ballooning, the 13th annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest will be held August 25 through 28, 2016.
Originally started by Mapleton-born historian and balloonist Dena Winslow, the fest is coordinated by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce and the Mapleton Lions Club “but we see it as an activity for others to build around,” said Theresa Fowler, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.
“The Crown of Maine Balloon Fest continues to grow in popularity. The hot air balloon rides are selling very quickly this year so we are hoping that all the flights are able to go. This event is very weather dependent. We need gentle breezes and no rain to be able to launch and retrieve the balloons.”
The event starts Thursday with a 5:30 a.m. “mass ascension” balloon flight and an evening flight 12 hours later, along with a downtown Presque Isle street fair.
Tickets for tethered balloon rides will go on sale at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug 26, and Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds. Sales will be limited to the first 150 people each evening.
Tickets for passenger flights already are on sale by calling the chamber at 764-6561. Balloons will launch for passenger flights at 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Much of the rest of the event takes place at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds, including music by the local band French Toast. More information and a complete list of events is available online at www.crownofmaineballoonfest.org.
Organizations with various activities through the fest include the Chapman Ridge Runners, Northern Maine Antique Tractor Club, Presque Isle Elks Lodge, Big Cheese Pizza, Presque Isle Kiwanis Club supported by Presque Isle Rotary and Cary Medical and Presque Isle Fire Department.
“We are fortunate to live in an area where the land owners are so receptive to hot air balloons landing on their property,” Fowler said. “The pilots are very aware of the need to avoid damaging crops, but the fields that are harvested and the great network of field roads provide good landing options and ease of access.”
She also added that people watching and photographing the hot air balloons should be careful. “It is very easy to be distracted by the large balloons and trailers. We ask that drivers pull off the road if they are watching balloons fly or land.”
