See how visitors to the balloon festival have fun without balloons

Denny Breau performs on the main stage at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday night. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

LEWISTON, Aug. 17, 2024 – Darren Dockery of Lewiston shows off his flowering bulbs that he brought to his family during the balloon festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday night. “I’ve lived here for 20 years, but I’ve only seen the balloons from afar and wanted to see them up close.” (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal) Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Rotarian Roger Theriault pulls a load of French fries out of the fryer at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday night. Although the balloons were not launched Saturday night, nonprofits and vendors were busy serving the huge crowds. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Alena Brown paints the face of Axelia Maloney on Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Nicole Hastings (left) and Tim Osborne, members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, fence at their camp in Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday afternoon during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Pete Preble and his grandchildren play a water game Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. From left: Preble, Chloe Bright, Forrest Wade and River Wade. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Ellie Nicklasson waves her cousin Adelynn Chapman as Ellyanna Chapman waits for her performance at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday afternoon during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Children play in the “Damn Yankee” balloon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday afternoon during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Guests line up for food at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday afternoon during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

J Anthony Fiori draws a caricature of Darren Dees and Lindsey Doyon on Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

People scream as they begin the Pharaoh’s Fury ride during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday afternoon. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Edward Bartlett takes a photo of his wife Mara (left) and Mabel at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday afternoon during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Russell Jeffords carves a wooden pumpkin at his Stonehedge Events & Camping booth at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday afternoon during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Norman Schneider (left) relaxes in the magic chair he just purchased while chatting with former longtime colleague Bill Lombardi on Saturday afternoon at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival. Schneider is spending the summer in Casco, but Lombardi lives in Boston and came here hoping to watch the balloons take off. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

People scream as they ride Pharaoh’s Fury during the second day of the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday afternoon. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal