Posted inLewiston-Auburn

Ready to launch?

For the past 19 years, the Sun Journal’s news staff has brought you — our readers — live coverage of the Great Falls Balloon Festival. This year, on the 20th anniversary of the festival (Aug. 17-19), the Sun Journal is excited to offer one of our readers a chance to cover the event by taking […]

Posted inOur View

A campaign promise better left unfulfilled

It’s not news that candidates make foolish promises in the heat of a primary campaign, throwing out ideas to fire up their followers. Politifacts.com lists several dozen promises Barack Obama made on his march to the White House. Remember the one about closing the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center? Hasn’t happened, even three years after his […]

advertisement
Posted inLewiston-Auburn

Balloonist’s passion becomes body art

In the warm and misty August morning, assistant balloon meister Jim Rodrigue of Lewiston calls instructions to the almost two dozen waiting pilots.  It is the first morning launch of the 19th Annual Great Falls Balloon Festival, and Rodrigue is no stranger to the lofty world of hot air balloonists. His long history winds its […]

Posted insj-web

VIDEO: Early morning risers treated to balloon spetactular

Early morning haze burned off considerably to allow bright blue sky to shine on Lewiston-Auburn, treating balloon enthusiasts to a spectatular launch.  It was the third day in a row for the 19th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival.  The day continues with food, music and entertainment.  With luck, the weather will cooperate for another evening […]

Posted inLewiston-Auburn

Fireball injures five at Great Falls Balloon Festival

LEWISTON — A sudden ball of fire erupted above a balloon’s basket as it neared liftoff at the Great Falls Balloon Festival Saturday night, injuring four passengers and pilot Andre Boucher. Two of the passengers were transported to Central Maine Medical Center and two were taken to Maine Medical Center, Joshua Shea, the festival’s spokesman, said. […]

Posted inLewiston-Auburn

Rain dampens Great Falls Balloon Festival

LEWISTON — There were no balloons in the sky Friday night but there was plenty of action on the ground. Square-dancing on the Auburn side of the river, a flaming performance art show on the other. Sprinkles, thunder and flashes of lightning were not enough to chase thousands from their celebrations of the 19th Annual […]

Posted inLewiston-Auburn

Balloon fest merchants prepare for balloon feast

LEWISTON — While hundreds of people prepare for flights at this weekend’s Great Falls Balloon Festival, thousands more look forward to biting into a blooming onion, munching on kettle corn or slurping down a lime rickey. In fact, at 26, the number of booths at the festival is just three shy of the number of featured balloons. […]

Posted inConnections

Rafts will offer alternate balloon launch views

AUBURN — Adventure Bound Rafting, Maine’s premier outdoor adventure, camping and whitewater rafting company, and the Androscoggin Land Trust, a regional land trust in the Androscoggin River watershed, will offer the opportunity to view the Great Falls Balloon Festival from the Androscoggin River on rafts traditionally meant for whitewater rafting. This year’s festival will take […]

Posted inLewiston-Auburn

High hopes for 19th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival

LEWISTON — A lighter-than-air spectacle is poised to return this weekend to Lewiston-Auburn in the shape of an owl, a ladybug and a beaver. Three specialty balloons — Ms. Whooty, Lady Bug and Bud E. Beaver — are at the center of the 19th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival and this year’s theme, “Critters in […]