24th Annual Great Falls Balloon Festival In Lewiston-Auburn Next Weekend

End your summer by attending the Great Falls Balloon Festival! From August 19th to the 21st, Lewiston-Auburn will celebrate its 24th year putting on their Great Falls Balloon Festival. The main attraction is, of course, the legendary hot air balloon rides! According to the event site, this festival has gained national attention for Maine. The theme this year is Star Wars: The Force Takes Flight.

Balloons will launch throughout the weekend at 6a.m. and 6p.m. as long as the weather allows! Each balloon ride costs $200 to $225 per person depending on the time of purchase. A ride application must be submitted along with payment. Each balloon can seat two to ten passengers. At the end of each ride there is champagne to toast the success of the adventure!

However, when your head isn't in the clouds, there's still plenty to do!

A carnival will be open from 4p.m. to 10p.m. in Simard-Payne Memorial Park, Lewiston, Friday. Saturday, the carnival is open from 10a.m. to 11p.m. with a parade at 11a.m. Register for family fun day at 9:30a.m. on Sunday and enjoy some family fun until 1p.m. Food booths, contests, crafts and trade vendors, a bounce house, face painting and lots of entertainment will all be going on throughout each day as well.

Find the full schedule of the events here!

The organization's mission statement is: "The mission of the Great Falls Balloon Festival is to provide fundraising opportunities for local non-profit organizations, while celebrating our community and promoting the Lewiston/Auburn area as a visitor destination."

According to the event site, about 100,000 visitors will be in attendance throughout the weekend. Since admission to the event is free and non-profits and volunteers help to support the festival, the economic profit put into the community from this event is immense, at an "economic impact in excess of $2,000,000" according to the event site.

To become a sponsor or volunteer visit the event site.