Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The fifth annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest lifts off tomorrow and organizers are hoping for excellent flying weather.
The fifth Annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest is scheduled to conmmence tomorrow at the Northern Maine Fairgounds in Presque Isle. The festival is presented by Key Bank. The four day fest will feature hot air balloon launches and the first ever “Paint Presque Isle,” event.
Presented by KeyBank, the festival, held at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds in Presque Isle, will begin Thursday, Aug. 21 and continue through Sunday, Aug. 24. Organizers said this year’s festival will feature more activities for children and families.
“We went out to the community to both civic groups and non-profits to see if they would like to participate in the festival,” said committee chair Derik Smith. “They were very supportive and came up with a number of things we’re going to try this year.”
The event will feature hot air balloon launches as its centerpiece, including Jumpin’ Jack, a special-shaped balloon that was featured last year but never launched because of inclement weather. Other activities will include a comedy show held Friday at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Wieden Auditorium, football scrimmage, music, golf scramble, charity barbecue, the first-ever “Paint Presque Isle: A Fresh Paint Event and Auction,” and a Street Fest.
From 6-10 p.m. Saturday, vendors will be located on Main Street between State and Academy streets. Vendors will open at 6 p.m., and the streets will be closing at 5 p.m.
“A Multi-Cultural Food Fest will be held from 6-8 p.m. Cafe Sorpreso and the Northeastland, as well as others, will be making various cultural foods including Thai and German foods,” said Smith. “People can buy a sampling pass for $3 per person or $5 per couple, and can vote on which food they like best. Only 250 sampling passes will be available, so people who are interested should get theirs now.”
Also as part of Street Fest, Citadel Broadcasting will be providing a DJ from 8-10 p.m.
“We have tried to grow significantly this year to make a great event for the people of Aroostook County and draw in people from all over the region,” said Smith.
The festival will officially kick off with a Friday morning balloon launch, another on Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday night, and wrap up on Sunday with another morning flight. There will also be balloon glows on Friday and Saturday night.
“For a balloon glow, the pilots set up their balloons at dusk,” said Smith. “Then they use the burners to illuminate the envelope so it glows … it’s really quite pretty.”
Pilots are planning on arriving sooner than Friday, Smith said, so people may want to look to the sky Wednesday night.
“The pilots are excited about coming,” he said, “and many are planning on getting here earlier, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see some balloons launching Wednesday night.”
Smith said that some pilots will take paying passengers during their flights. Those wishing to make arrangements for a flight should contact the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce at 207-764-6561.
The Crown of Maine Balloon Fest is in its third year of operation. Hot air balloons were first introduced as part of the “Isle Fest” celebrations in 2004. Officials say it grew from three balloons to six in 2005, 10 balloons in 2006, 14 balloons last year, and an expected 15-16 hot air balloons this year.
The schedule of events for the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest is as follows:
5:30 a.m. Balloon Launch.
5-7 p.m. Charity barbecue to benefit the Presque Isle Historical Society.
5:30 p.m. Ribbon-Burning Ceremony.
5:30 p.m. Balloon Launch with Jumpin’ Jack on display.
8 p.m. “This Comedy Show is Rated PG-13,” held at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Wieden Auditorium. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. General admission. Advance tickets are available at the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce, Country Collectibles, the UMPI Campus Center and the Aroostook Centre Mall.
Dusk Balloon Glow.
5:30 a.m. Balloon Launch.
7:30-10 a.m. Pilot and Crew Breakfast. Public Welcome, $6, by Order of Eastern Star, Masonic Hall in Presque Isle.
8:30-9:30 a.m. “Paint Presque Isle” Artist Registration, Northeastland Hotel. Artists work in downtown area from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
10 a.m. KeyBank Wildcats Scramble. Check in by 9 a.m. 10 a.m. Shotgun Start at the Presque Isle Country Club.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Hot Dog and Food Sale. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 52 Second St.
Noon-2 p.m. Youth Activities (rain or shine).
Noon-2 p.m. Masonic Child ID Program.
Noon-2 p.m. Aroostook Fliers Display.
Noon Teddy Bear Parade.
12:10 p.m. Kids’ Carnival Opens.
12:15 p.m. Watermelon Eating Contest. Sponsored by Star City IGA. 5-8 years of age, 9-12 years of age.
12:30 p.m. Relay Races, 3-6 years of age, 7-9 years of age, 10 and older.
1 p.m. Egg and Spoon Race. 5-8 years of age, 9 and older.
1:30 p.m. Cookie Stacking Contest. 4-5 years of age, 6-8 years of age.
1:45 p.m. Pizza Eating Contest. Sponsored by Big Cheese Pizza. 6-8 years of age, 9 and older.
Noon-4 p.m. Music in the Park presented by Aroostook Partners in the Arts, Riverside Park.
2-4 p.m. Double Eagle II Site Renewal Reception hosted by the Spragueville Extension, at the Double Eagle II launch site, Spragueville Road.
2:15 p.m. Aroostook Football League Scrimmage. Sincock Field, Caribou.
3 p.m. Kids Show at the Braden Theater. Must participate in youth activities to get ticket. Tickets are limited.
4:30-6 p.m. “Paint Presque Isle” Art Reception and Auction Preview at the Northeastland Hotel. $8 per person.
5:30 p.m. Balloon Launch with Jumpin’ Jack on display.
5-7 p.m. Benefit Barbecue by American Legion, Ray Goding Post 88.
6 p.m. “Paint Presque Isle” Art Auction at the Northeastland Hotel. Sponsored by the Aroostook Partners in the Arts.
6-10 p.m. Street Fest 2008, located on Main Street between State and Academy streets. Vendors open at 6 p.m. From 6-8 p.m. there will be a Multi-Cultural Food Fest. Sampling pass is $3 per person or $5 per couple. Passes can be purchased at Wilder’s Jewelry Store and Edward Jones Financial. From 8-10 p.m., there will be a DJ courtesy of Citadel Broadcasting.
Sunday, Aug. 24
5:30 a.m. Balloon Launch.
Noon-3 p.m. Aroostook Fliers RC Plane Flying. Travel out the East Chapman Road to the Lathrop Road, then follow the signs.
1 p.m. Races at Spud Speedway. Wicked Good Vintage Racing/Regular Racing. Gates open at 10 a.m.
Festival-long events include an amateur photo contest and window painting contest entries on display in downtown merchants’ windows. Daily kayak tours by Perception of Aroostook will also be offered. Shuttle service and rentals available. For details or to make reservations, call 764-5506 and ask for Leo.
Please note that all events are at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds unless otherwise noted. All balloon events are weather dependent, and launch sites may move to accommodate winds. For more information, log onto www.crownofmaineballoonfest.org.
