Welcome From The Festvial President

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 16th Annual Great Falls Balloon Festival.

Be sure to join us on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 15, 16 & 17 at Simard & Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston, Maine and Festival Plaza in Auburn, Maine.

This year we will have more then 30 hot air balloons including two special shapes, Pandy Panda & Oggy Dragon. Balloon launches take place each day at 6am & 6pm weather permitting. Again this year the moon glow will take place Friday & Saturday evening at Simard & Payne Memorial Park.

We have something for all ages, starting Friday night with fireworks over the falls, a parade on Saturday, field demo’s and entertainment on two stages. Along with a kids area, carnival and over 30 food booths which are staffed by local non-profit groups. Make sure to stop in to this free family event and enjoy all that it has to offer.

On behalf of the board of directors and myself, we would like to thank our sponsors, the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, the hundreds of volunteers and all local landowners who provide areas for safe landings,  foremost to all the community for your continued support of this one of a kind event.

Ann Dehetre-Arsenault, President
Great Falls Balloon Festival 2008

About The Festival

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.  
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2008 Entertainment Headliner
Roomful of Blues

Even though Roomful of Blues’ lineup has changed over the years, the band has always been one of the tightest, most joyful blues ensembles in the world. Currently an eight-piece unit led by guitarist Chris Vachon, the band has never sounded fresher or stronger. In 2007, singer Dave Howard took over the vocal duties, bringing his gritty and soulful vocals and adding another bright new dimension to the jazzy, jump-blues musical roots. Their winning combination of jump, swing, blues, R&B and soul remains their calling card, as does their ability to fill the dance floor.
Along with new members, bassist Dima Gorodetsky and drummer Ephraim Lowell, and longer standing members keyboardist Travis Colby, baritone and tenor saxophonist Mark Earley, tenor and alto saxophonist Rich Lataille and trumpeter Bob Enos, RAISIN’ A RUCKUS (named after Rich’s jazz romp instrumental) swings with ferocity and rocks with urgency and purpose. Moving effortlessly from originals to carefully chosen covers, the expertly executed songs sizzle from start to finish.
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