Presque Isle:
Balloon Fest
By Billie Brodsky
The Crown of Maine Balloon Fest was born as part
of the 2004 Isle Fest when local pilot Dena Winslow and
Canadian pilot “Wild” Bill Whelan convinced the Presque
Isle Area Chamber of Commerce to host a hot air balloon
event. In addition to Dena and Bill, Doug Shippee from
New Brunswick flew that first year.
Isle Fest 2005 saw the expansion to five balloons
and in 2006 the number of balloons rose to nine and Isle
Fest was renamed The Crown of Maine Balloon Fest. In
the ensuing years the festival has continued to grow adding
more balloons and pilots from many states and Canada.
Pilots Wendell Purvis from Florida and Joel Jones from
Alabama, claim that The County is one of their favorite
places to fly due to the beautiful landscapes and friendly
folks.
Hot air balloons have been around since the days
of Louis XVI. The first manned balloon was built by the
Montgolfier brothers in France and made its first successful
flight in 1783. It was initially thought that smoke provided
the balloon’s lift; a logical explanation in those days because
when observed, smoke appeared to be rising. It was learned
later that the heated air, which rises because it is lighter than
the air around it, was the agent of flight.
Over the long history of ballooning several traditions
have developed. A common tradition among balloonists all
over the world is a champagne toast upon landing. Legend
has it that early French aeronauts carried champagne to
appease angry or frightened spectators at the landing site.
The toast is now often included with the following blessing:
72 Our Communities SUMMER 2011
“The winds have welcomed you with softness
The sun has blessed you with warm hands
You have flown so high and so well
That God had joined you in your laughter
And set you gently back into the loving arms of
Mother Earth.”
[author unknown]
To take full advantage of the hot air balloon
experience, dozens of volunteers crew for the different
balloons. They help in laying out and inflating the envelope,
launching the balloon and then the real fun begins: The
Chase! The crew follows the balloon and must reach the
landing site before the balloon touches down. Of course
helping to make this a successful flight and landing, the
ground crew and balloon pilot are radio-equipped. There is
nothing more beautiful, relaxing, exhilarating or as peaceful
as H