PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Skies were clear and winds calmed nicely Thursday evening in Presque Isle as pilots and their passengers took off in hot air balloons.
The 19th annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest kicked off with its own version of a ribbon cutting at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds. With a brief burst of flame, pilot Mike Lavoie of West Ossipee, New Hampshire, burned the tape in half and the festival began.
Riders from Florida and throughout New England and neighboring New Brunswick are participating, including two from Maine. These pilots bring families and fans, and this year people from 12 states signed up for balloon rides. The event brings thousands of people to Presque Isle, giving a boost to accommodations, restaurants and shops throughout the area.
Tittravate, guided by pilot Joe Caputo of Pittston, flies over Presque Isle. (Credits: Paula Brewer / The Star-Herald)
People watched the balloons and socialized at the fairgrounds Thursday afternoon and evening. Crew members and local volunteers chased the balloons as they landed near Easton Road. Early Friday morning, people stopped on roadsides, on lawns and anywhere else they could to see the colorful balloons and wave to passengers.
And everywhere, people looked up and smiled. This is a festival that makes people happy.
Pilot Mark Depew of Nashua, New Hampshire, was among those happy people. He is new to the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest and brought a family entourage, including his wife Alecia, as well as in-laws and cousins.
“It’s all a family affair,” he said Thursday. “We are happy to be here and very excited to see a new area. We’re here to explore northern Maine.”
Holocron, a hot air balloon piloted by Luke Van Camp of Tallahassee, Florida. (Credits: Paula Brewer / The Star-Herald)
Hot air balloons and their pilots prepare for liftoff at the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest in Presque Isle. (Credits: Paula Brewer / The Star-Herald)
Depew, whose red, orange, yellow and black balloon is called Patch Adams, has been a private pilot for nine years. This is not only his first time in Aroostook County, but his first time flying to Maine.
Pittston’s Joe Caputo is at the festival with his Tittravate balloon, and Lewiston’s James Rodrigue with Tailwinds.
Other drivers include Randy Lee of Four Oaks, North Carolina; Bob Martel of Sterling, Mass.; Marian Deeney of Monticello, Florida; Joe and Beth Hamilton of Hobe Sound, Fla.; Mark Fritze of Tallahassee, Florida; Luke Van Camp of Tallahassee; Jim Rogers of Saint John, New Brunswick; and longtime festival favorite Wendell Purvis.
The Firefly hot air balloon sits above the Northern Maine Fairgrounds in Presque Isle. (Credits: Paula Brewer / The Star-Herald)
Tailwinds, owned and operated by James Rodrigue of Lewiston, carries passengers over Presque Isle. (Credits: Paula Brewer / The Star-Herald)
The fairgrounds has plenty of attractions to keep the crowd busy when the balloons aren’t on the field. There are food and drink vendors from the area and other parts of Maine, bounce houses, live music and craft vendors.
Launches are expected to take place in the morning and evening. Although rain is in the forecast for Friday evening, the weather looks nice for Saturday and Sunday.
For a complete schedule of events, visit the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest’s Facebook page.
