LEWISTON, Maine — It wasn't a washout, but the weather didn't fully cooperate Friday morning for the kick-off of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival in Simard-Payne Memorial Park. The balloons were inflated, but they never made it off the ground because of the lingering fog.
Still, it gave the early morning crowd a chance to check out the balloons up close.
The event comes several months after organizers of the Great Falls Balloon Festival said the event would be canceled because of multiple challenges it was facing.
"It was disappointing," Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival organizer Mell Hamlyn said.
But city leaders in Lewiston and Auburn still wanted to bring the community together for the annual tradition and quickly got to work to host a festival of their own.
"It's a good feeling to be back down here," Hamlyn told NEWS CENTER Maine. "People love to come down to watch the balloons. They take rides. They buy food from the local nonprofits. They watch all the entertainment on the stage."
The event attracted curious eyes, thrill-seekers, and owners of small businesses.
Maria Blissonneault, owner of Maria Bolt Design Studio, crafted a special collection of balloon-themed jewelry for the festival.
"It’s been just a bright creative spot and inspiration to make this collection," Blissonneault, said. "I love to make little things like this, and we’re just so excited to meet with the people of Lewiston and Auburn and have this amazing celebration."
There is still time to see the balloons. They are expected to launch again at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17.