The Force will be strong over Lewiston this summer as the Lewiston Auburn Balloon Festival (LABF) blasts off with a Star Wars theme at Lewiston’s Simard-Payne Memorial Park. 

This year’s theme, “The Rise of the Balloons,” is an out-of-this-world experience for hot-air balloon lovers, cosplay enthusiasts, and families seeking an unforgettable weekend of fun, flight, and fandom. The LABF committee, a collaboration of staff and residents from the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, brings the intergalactic theme to life with 16 hot air balloons, including four special shapes that are sure to turn heads.

Schedule of Events:

August 15, 2025:

6:00 AM: Balloon Launch - Simard Payne Park

4:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Food Vendors - Simard Payne Park

4:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Carnival - Lincoln St. Lewiston, near Station Grille

4:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Artisan/Makers Fair and Trade Show - Simard Payne Park

Hundreds of talented makers will feature crafted soaps, woodworking, crochet plush pals, candles, jewelry, artwork, handcrafted baskets, stained glass, pottery, embroidery, and so much more!

4:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Medieval Tent Activities - Simard Payne Park, Ampitheater

Join the Society for Creative Anachronism, an immersive history group where you can experience tournaments, royal courts, feasts, and dancing, and learn how to recreate crafts and skills of the pre-17th century world.

Friday’s Activities include fiber and arts displays and medieval caricatures.

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Live Music: Country Roads - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

Hailing from Southern Maine, Country Roads delivers the best of today’s modern country, covering hits from Luke Combs, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Jason Aldean, Johnny Cash, and more. Whether you’re two-stepping, line dancing, or just singing along, this high-energy performance is all about great music, good company, and plenty of fun.

6:00 PM: Balloon Launch - Simard Payne Park

6:15 PM - 9:00 PM: Balloon Tether Rides - Simard Payne Park

6:45 PM - 7:15 PM: Live Music: Violinist Mavy Ho-Le - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

At 21 years old, Mavy Ho-Le is undoubtedly an up-and-coming force to be reckoned with in the instrumental world. Her unique styles of performing combined with choreographed numbers makes her stand out from a traditional classical string setting.

7:30 PM - 10:00 PM: Live Music: Traveller - The Chris Stapleton Experience - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

Traveller is a music project dedicated to re-creating the music of Chris Stapleton. These A-list seasoned musicians got together and put together a show that will have you screaming for more. From Alec Antobenedetto’s uncanny vocal resemblance to Chris Stapleton, Tina Daurizio with her magical Morgane Stapleton background vocal harmonies, Leo Melanson’s amazing pedal steel tapestries, Jay Tullio’s whiskey-tinged guitar lines, Kyle Murphy’s weaving of Acoustic Guitar & background vocals, Dave Hines velvety smooth bass lines to world-renowned drummer Joe Donnelly laying down the foundation of this band. This show will have you screaming for more long after it’s over.

8:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Moon Glow Primary - Simard Payne Park

August 16, 2025:

6:00 AM: Balloon Launch - Simard Payne Park

6:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Pancake Breakfast - Simard Payne Park - Big Tent

7:15 AM - 10:00 AM: Balloon Tether Rides - Simard Payne Park

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Parade - Click Here for Parade Registration https://laballoonfest.org/get-involved/parade-registration/

10:00 AM - 7:00 PM: Medieval Tent Activities - Simard Payne Park

Join the Society for Creative Anachronism, an immersive history group where you can experience tournaments, royal courts, feasts, and dancing, and learn how to recreate crafts and skills of the pre-17th century world.

All day activities include:

Fiber and arts demonstrations
Youth activities
Medieval Caricatures
Forge demonstrations

10:00 AM - 10:00 PM: Carnival - Lincoln St. Lewiston, near Station Grille

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM: Food Vendors - Simard Payne Park

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM: Pups in the Air - Simard Payne Park

11:45 AM - 1:15 PM: Live Music: Jody Boys - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

Jody Boys is a fun party band who cover great hits from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s with a few surprises from all over. If your looking to enjoy some good diverse music this band likes to rock!

12:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Artisan/Makers Fair and Trade Show - Simard Payne Park

Join us for an Artisan/Makers Fair & Trade Show presented by Maine Micro Artisans.

Hundreds of talented makers will feature crafted soaps, woodworking, crochet plush pals, candles, jewelry, artwork, handcrafted baskets, stained glass, pottery, embroidery, and so much more!

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Tour the Basilica - Pickup at LABF Entrance Oxford and Beech Sts.

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM: "Blue, Brews and Cruise" Classic Car Show - Festival Plaza and Main St. in Auburn

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Paint Party with Wicked Illustrations - Simard Payne Park

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM: Pups in the Air - Simard Payne Park

2:00 PM - 3:45 PM: Live Music: Bazinga! - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

Bazinga! will energize the crowd with a dynamic mix of 90s hits to now hits, from alt-rock anthems to smooth R&B grooves contemporary favorites. It’s the perfect recipe for a high-energy concert vibe to put your dancing shoes on!

4:00 PM - 5:45 PM: Live Music: Ocean House Road Band - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

Ocean House Road Band members grew up in the 1960’s and 1970’s. We witnessed the greatest evolution of music in the history of the western world; folk music, Motown, rock and roll, folk rock, blues and yep, blues rock. We saw the great ones perform.

6:00 PM: Balloon Launch - Simard Payne Park

7:15 PM - 9:00 PM: Balloon Tether Rides - Simard Payne Park

6:45 PM - 7:30 PM: Live Music: Denny Breau - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

Denny Breau legendary guitarist and singer/songwriter Denny Breau will mesmerize the audience with his flawless rhythm and stunning six-string guitar work, blending folk, Delta blues, country, and jazz effortlessly.

7:30 PM - 10:00 PM: Live Music: Motor Booty Affair - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

Motor Booty Affair has  been lighting up stages across America with their 70’s extravaganza for several years, continually improving on the show that has been dubbed “The Ultimate Disco Party Band”. It is their mission to get the crowd groovin’ as they deliver hits from Earth Wind & Fire, The Bee-Gees, KC and the Sunshine Band, Chic, The Commodores, Barry White, Abba and more. They will create an event you will never forget. Make sure you bring your boogie shoes because no matter how big the dance floor is - it’s always packed from the first song to the last!

August 17, 2025:

6:00 AM: Balloon Launch - Simard Payne Park

6:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Pancake Breakfast - Simard Payne Park - Big Tent

7:15 AM - 10:00 AM: Balloon Tether Rides - Simard Payne Park

9:30 AM - 2:00 PM: Lewiston Farmer's Market - Oxford St. & Cross St.

The Lewiston Farmers’ Market offers visitors a chance to connect with one another and shop for a wide variety of fresh, delicious, local foods and goods while fostering a vibrant downtown and building a strong community and local economy.

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Family Fun Day - Simard Payne Park

9:30 AM - 10:15 PM: Pups in the Air - Simard Payne Park

9:30 AM - 6:00 PM: Pony Rides - Simard Payne Park

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM: Food Vendors - Simard Payne Park

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM: Live Music: Camp of Rock - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

Camp of Rock will start your Sunday with the youthful energy of Camp of Rock. These talented summer camp students will perform rock classics from Heart, The Kings, The Black Crowes, and Led Zeppelin.

12:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Artisan/Makers Fair and Trade Show - Simard Payne Park

Hundreds of talented makers will feature crafted soaps, woodworking, crochet plush pals, candles, jewelry, artwork, handcrafted baskets, stained glass, pottery, embroidery, and so much more!

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Tour the Basilica - Pickup at Entrance

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM: Live Music: Maine's Got Talent Top 3 Winners - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

12:15 AM - 1:00 PM: Pups in the Air - Simard Payne Park

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM: Live Music: Starky Sisterz - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM: Live Music: Rumor Has It - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

Rumor Has It are all about having fun, engaging the crowd and playing music that everyone enjoys. They play a wide variety of music traversing decades and multiple genres!

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Live Music: Taylor Hughes - Main Stage at Simard Payne Park

Taylor Hughes is a New Hampshire homegrown country singer. He started singing when he was very young. His musical drive is to bring storytelling and traditional country music. He’s performed all around New England and has sold out performances at the Bank of New Hampshire stage.

Dates: August 15 - 17, 2025

Location:

Simard-Payne Memorial Park,
46 Beech Street,
Lewiston, ME 04240.

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