Established in 1992 by a group of business people, civic leaders, and friends, the Great Falls Balloon Festival is a weekend-long celebration featuring hot air balloons, food, and entertainment.
With the support of local businesses, an army of volunteers and the cooperative efforts of the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, the festival has gained a national reputation as a first-class event and is a destination for many visitors to the state of Maine.
Based at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston—with additional entertainment and food offerings at Festival Plaza in Auburn—the festival attracts approximately 100,000 visitors throughout the weekend. The Androscoggin River and rocky Great Falls provide a picturesque setting for the dozens of balloons that visit each year, including some special shape balloons.