LEWISTON — Though the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival’s first scheduled balloon launch was canceled early Friday morning, festivalgoers found consolation in the many festival offerings at Simard-Payne Memorial Park throughout the day and were treated to an evening launch into cloudless skies.

Shortly after 6 p.m. balloons began filling the air above hordes of festivalgoers.

Jackson Chabot, 9, of Auburn was able to look down from the sky long enough to share his wonder of seeing balloons fill the sky. “I like ’em. Especially that one that looks like the American flag,” he said. “They’re very colorful.”

With hours to go before the second scheduled launch at 6 p.m., people were enjoying groundside attractions. Music drifted over the Androscoggin River while food vendors served everything from fried dough to lobster rolls, and craft tents bustled with shoppers. The air carried the scents of a true Maine festival, while a medieval encampment drew curious onlookers to watch blacksmiths work and reenactors pose.

Jody Evans of Bath attended the festival with her husband, Lee Evans, and nephew Brian Manifold who was visiting from Maryland. Jody Evans said she and her crew were attending in hopes of seeing some balloons launch. They were not disappointed.

“We’re really just here for the nice day, something to do,” Evans said. “You really can’t beat such a nice summer day in Maine.”

The 6 a.m. launch cancellation was a disappointment for many, from first-time festivalgoers to those who have come to the festival for years.

Balloon meister Bruce Byberg said Friday morning after the cancellation that while the sky looked inviting, wind conditions told another story.

When pilots released the small black latex test balloon that allows them to gauge wind speed, it shot off fast to the south as soon as it rose above the trees. Winds were estimated to be above the maximum safe speed of 8-10 miles per hour. In the evening, though, the balloon sprung nearly straight in the air.

Among those hoping for the morning liftoff was Sarah Gillespie and her son Luke Johnson, 7, of Lewiston. The family comes out to the festival every year, said Gillespie. Her son especially enjoys watching the balloons take off; he’s been to every festival since he was born.

Gillespie said she feels like more than half the time the balloons never make it off the ground. However, when they do go up — well, there’s nothing like it.

“It’s fantastic,” she said. “It’s kind of hard to describe but it just gives you a different perspective.”

Friday afternoon’s crowd was betting on calmer air, hoping for the 5- to 10-miles per hour winds forecasted for the rest of Friday and all of Saturday. By 3 p.m., the leaves and flags were mostly still showing gentle gusts.

By 6 p.m. a slight breeze had festivalgoers biting their nails. Wind is the most common reason pilots stay groundside. Moderate gusts can push a balloon far from suitable landing sites and leave pilots little time to maneuver away from hazards like trees or power lines.

John and Sandy Geiser were in attendance Friday for “the umpteenth” time, Sandy said, hoping to see the “Rise of the Balloons.” Along with their daughter, November Geiser, the Monmouth family was enjoying the festival a few hours before launch time.

“I love seeing how big they are,” November said. “Even though we’ve been so many times, it’s always surprising to see how big they are. And the shapes, too. We really enjoy the ambience and diversity and just seeing people getting together for something fun.”

“You see that one there?” Jackson Chabot said, pointing to a green, yellow and blue balloon. “That one is winning.”

Staff writer Kendra Caruso contributed to this story.