Crown of Maine Balloon Fest Begins Thursday With Street Fair

A street fair in downtown Presque Isle on Thursday, hosted by Presque Isle Lodge of Elks, will launch the 2015 Crown of Maine Balloon Fest. Traffic will be detoured on Main Street from Blake to Academy for the celebration from 4 to 10 p.m., according to Elks Exalted Ruler Alan Harding.

At 6:30 p.m., the Jerry T Band will get things rocking from atop a flat bed trailer at the State Street intersection.  Several food vendors will be set up on the sidewalks of Main Street.  The Elks club will also be selling hamburgers, hot dogs, shaved ice, popcorn, cupcakes and ice cream with proceeds to benefit the Maine Children’s Cancer Program.

The Aroostook Medical Center will be previewing its Adventure Challenge for Youth, with several fun and challenging physical contests for young people.

The Cubby will be creating giant bubbles for kids to play in, as well as providing bubble mix for kids to create bubbles.  The Aroostook Federal Savings & Loan will again sponsor  a contest for children, providing each child an opportunity to win a prize. The Elks will give kids a chance to win school supplies with a variety of games and contests, Harding said.

The Presque Isle Fire Department will be offering materials about fire safety. The Elks will have educational materials for young people regarding the dangers of drugs.

Other activities include a dunking booth and face painting for children.