Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State

Watch: With no Great Falls Balloon Festival, pilots gather for virtual launch

A couple balloon pilots take off Saturday morning from Simard-Payne Park in Lewiston for the Sun Journal’s tribute to the festival, which was canceled because of the pandemic.

Posted August 22, 2020

Sun Journal

This morning, we are showing two Maine balloon pilots and their balloons in a virtual launch. One balloon will be piloted by Jim Rodrique of Androscoggin Balloon Adventures in Lewiston and the other piloted by Derald Young of Damn Yankee Balloons in Dixfield.

It’s our tribute to the Great Falls Balloon Festival, which had to cancel it’s 2020 festival because of the pandemic.

Special thanks to Androscoggin Balloon Adventures in Lewiston (207-783-4574) and Damn Yankee Balloons in Dixfield (207-562-7562).

Two balloons float over the Androscoggin River on Saturday morning in Lewiston. Purchase this image

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Two balloons float over the Androscoggin River on Saturday morning in Lewiston. Purchase this image
Jim Rodgrigue test fires his hot air balloon burner at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday morning for a secret balloon launch. The annual balloon festival was cancelled this year due to concerns about coronavirus. Caden Babcock, 5, and Tim Leeman watch on. Purchase this image
The scene early Satuday morning as two balloons prepared to launch from Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The annual balloon festival was cancelled this year due to concerns about coronavirus. Purchase this image
A second hot air balloon prepares to take flight Saturday morning from Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Purchase this image
A crew member peeks into the top vent of a balloon being inflated at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday. Purchase this image
The inside of an Androscoggin Balloon Adventures balloon as it was being inflatated on Saturday morning on Lewiston at Simard-Payne Memorial Park. Purchase this image
A small boy pushes a large balloon up as it inflates early Satuday morning in preparation to launch from Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Purchase this image
A ballon from Androscoggin Balloon Adventures inflates early Saturday morning in preparation to launch from Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Purchase this image
Jim Rodrigue, right, explains landing protocol to Michelle Pham and Akshay Kumar before their balloon flight on Saturday morning. The annual balloon festival was cancelled this year due to concerns about coronavirus. Purchase this image
One balloon lifts off as another inflates Saturday morning at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewison. Purchase this image
A hot air balloon slowly floats over Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday morning. Purchase this image
A balloon floats over the mills in Lewiston on Saturday morning. Purchase this image
A hot air balloon slowly floats over Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday morning. Purchase this image
A hot air balloon slowly floats over Simard Payne-Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday morning. Purchase this image
A hot air balloon floats past the future site of Museum LA in Lewiston on Satuday morning. Purchase this image
A balloon lowers down to the Androscoggin River on Saturday in Lewiston. Purchase this image

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