Tethered rides, live music to highlight festival
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Hot air balloon pilots from across the United States and Canada are in town to participate in the ninth annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest.
THE NINTH ANNUAL Crown of Maine Balloon Fest kicks off this Thursday in Presque Isle and will conclude Sunday. Between 10 and 12 hot air balloons are expected to fill the sky during this year’s event. 
Pictured flying over the Caribou Road during last year’s Saturday morning launch are, from left: “Raspberry Ripple,” piloted by Derald Young of Dixfield and Eric Olsen of Manchester, N.H. flying “Blue Heaven.”
Hosted by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce and the Mapleton Lions Club, Balloon Fest will be held Thursday, Aug. 23 and continue through Sunday, Aug. 26 at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds in Presque Isle.
“We expect to have between 10-12 hot air balloons fly in this year’s festival,” said Floyd Rockholt, Balloon Fest chair. “Many of the pilots have flown here for several years — although we have at least one new pilot coming — and they love flying here; it’s one of their best areas to fly in.
“They love the scenery, plus in a lot of places, when you land you have to land in specific areas,” he said. “Here we have a lot of open fields so they can land in most areas. They’re not very limited.”
Festival-goers will have the opportunity this year to take a tethered balloon ride.
“Tethered rides is a great way for people to get a feel of a balloon ride without actually spending a lot of money on an actual ride,” said Rockholt. “You do go up for a little bit in a balloon but you’re attached to a rope and the balloon doesn’t float free. It gives you a chance to experience what it’s like to lift off in one of the balloons.”
Tethered rides will be given — weather permitting — between the balloon launch and the time of the glow Friday and Saturday evening. The cost is $5 per person.
While the hot air balloons are the focal point of the festival, the event continues to grow. This year’s Balloon Fest will feature music, artisans, food, races, a street fair, children’s activities and more.
“The thing about balloons is they can only launch two times a day — early in the morning and in the evening, so the other fun events planned gives something to fill in when the balloons aren’t in the air,” said Rockholt, noting that balloons are very weather dependent. “You might think it’s a nice breeze, but for a hot air balloon it might not be so nice. For example, pilots need to have the balloon steady when they ignite the burner otherwise they could burn the balloon. In order to launch, you need to have no rain, plus the right wind conditions.
“Creating a festival with lots of things to do not only fills in around the balloon launches, but it also brings more people to Presque Isle,” he said. “I know of people who come up from Massachusetts just to attend our festival. While they’re here they may do some shopping or eat or buy gas, so that’s money that’s being put back into the community.”
Rockholt encourages people from throughout the county and western New Brunswick to attend this year’s Balloon Fest.
“It’s always a great time. You can enjoy the hot air balloon launches; it’s a beautiful site to see the balloons up in the air,” he said. “We have a great band in Chamberlin performing and there’s lots of things for children and families to do. It’s sure to be a fun time.”
Launches will be held Thursday at 5:30 p.m. with available pilots, as well as Friday and Saturday at both 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and 5:30 a.m. Sunday. There will also be balloon glows on Friday and Saturday nights.
For a balloon glow, the pilots set up their balloons at dusk and use the burners to illuminate the envelope so it glows.
The field will be “fenced off” to spectators giving the balloons and crews the space they need to prepare for the flights.
Some pilots will take paying passengers during their flights. Those wishing to make arrangements for a flight should contact the Central Aroostook Chamber at 764-6561.
