Northern Maine is getting ready to celebrate the 15th Annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest on August 23 - 26, 2018. And it's going to be a great event. Here's some new additions to the already exciting lineup of events:

In celebration of the 15th Annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, Spragueville Homemakers Extension will be hosting a lemonade and cookies event on August 25th at James School, adjacent to the Double Eagle ll site, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

The Double Eagle II, piloted by Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman, became the first balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean when it landed August 17, 1978 in Miserey, near Paris, 137 hours 6 minutes after leaving Presque Isle, Maine. The flight, the fourteenth known attempt, was the culmination of more than a century of previous attempts to cross the Atlantic Ocean by balloon. Some of the people who had attempted it were never found. This event began Presque Isle’s fascination with ballooning.

Saturday, August 25, the Foundation of the University of Maine at Presque Isle will host a Backyard Getaway Tour. Treehouses, garden sheds, she-sheds and man caves - The Aroostook County way!! Come see our fun spaces for getting away, our “stay-cation” retreats. Seriously awesome backyard escapes! (Rain or Shine) 12:00 noon – 3:30 pm; 3:30 pm -5:00 pm at the President’s Patio for VIP Ticket Holders.

Free transportation will be provided on Molly the Trolley for the first 30 reservations through the President’s Office.  Cost is $20 per person, or $30 per person for a VIP ticket which includes the finale at the UMPI President’s Patio. Tickets can be purchased at UMPI's President’s Office in Preble Hall or at the Campus Store in the Campus Center, as well as any of the seven locations on the event day. All tour-goers will receive a Backyard Getaway bracelet. For more information, please call Deborah Roark at 207-768-9755 or email deborah.roark@maine.edu.

The public may meet the pilots on Saturday at the Chapman Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club breakfast or at Northern Maine Fairgrounds from 2:00pm – 4:00pm.

On Sunday, the pilot and crew breakfast will be hosted by Lunar Chapter # 126, Order of the Eastern Star. This event, due to space will be limited to crew and pilots only.

Since its inception the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest has been a celebration of the region with the hot air balloons as a reason to visit on a particular weekend.

The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, Crown of Maine Balloon Fest committee and Mapleton Lions Club are thrilled to see new events and new organizations join in this celebration of our area.

Flights are scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 5:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday mornings at 5:30am, conditions permitting. 

Flights are $200 per person. Flights may be pre-paid through the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest website, crownofmaineballoonfest.org,  prior to August 19.

Crown of Maine Balloon Fest began in Presque Isle in 2004 as part of another celebration. Its popularity has made it possible to be a stand-alone event attracting thousands to the region for the event.

Pilots come from all over North America to participate in this event. Many have participated continuously since their first invitation due to their love of the area scenery and friendliness of local property owners and crew members.

This information was submitted to us as part of a press release. If you would like to share your community news or event with our audience, please email newspi@townsquaremedia.com.

More From