Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
BALLOON GLOWS are always a crowd pleaser as the hot air balloons’ envelopes illuminate showing off their true colors.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
HOT AIR BALLOONS inflate and depart from the Northern Maine Fairgrounds in Presque Isle during the recent sixth annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
THE SIXTH ANNUAL Crown of Maine Balloon Fest was a “soaring” success. Twelve colorful hot air balloons filled the sky during the festival, which was held Aug. 27-30 at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds in Presque Isle.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
KENNY SHUMATE’S balloon, B Happy, added a lot of color to the Aroostook County skyline.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
DERIK SMITH, chair of the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, is learning to become a pilot himself. Here, Smith and instructor Jean Drouin take to the skies in the KFC balloon during the recent festival held in Presque Isle. Smith estimates that he’ll have his pilot’s license by next year’s event.
Photo courtesy of Terry Sandusky
THE REMAX BALLOON, piloted by Chris Mooney of Woodbury, Conn., passes over Presque Isle Middle School carrying School Principal Anne Blanchard, along with her husband, Brian, and her sister, Sue Bernard. Mooney set the balloon down across the street from the school.
Photo courtesy of Dave Allen/daveallengraphics.net
MIRROR IMAGE – Floating peacefully over the Aroostook River are the balloons piloted by, from left: Wendell Purvis of Tallahassee, Fla. and Kenny Shumate of Orlando, Fla. The sixth annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest was held Aug. 27-30 in Presque Isle.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
BEAGLE “MAX” MAXIMUS was this year’s special shape balloon at the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest. Max is 119.7 feet long, 82 feet high, is 45.3 feet wide and weighs 522 pounds.
