With a shared purpose of introducing Mainers to our natural resources, Adventure Bound Rafting and the Androscoggin Land Trust will offer the opportunity to view the Great Falls Balloon Festival from the Androscoggin River on rafts traditionally meant for whitewater rafting.

Adventure Bound Rafting, Maine‚s premier outdoor adventure, camping and whitewater rafting company, and the Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT), a regional land trust in the Androscoggin River watershed, have partnered to provide this unique opportunity to view hot-air balloon launches during the festival, which runs August 19, 20 and 21.

“Everything we do is geared to engaging youth and families and helping them explore the outdoors,” said John Philbrick of Adventure Bound Rafting. Based in Caratunk,Adventure Bound offers whitewater rafting trips, camping, canoe trips, rock climbing and family fun in an alcohol-free environment.

“Normally we‚re taking trips on the Kennebec and Dead River,” Philbrick said. “This is the second year of working with the Androscoggin Land Trust, and we couldn’t be more pleased to help show off the Androscoggin River.”

Jonathan LaBonte, executive director of ALT, says excitement around using the Androscoggin River for recreation is growing. “The next generation in Lewiston-Auburn deserve a chance to experience that excitement,” he said. “For an outfitter like Adventure Bound to recognize our work and to offer to help connect youth to the river is amazing.”

Both LaBonte and Philbrick realize that most eyes will be on the sky, but they hope to also use this opportunity to talk about the river. “There are a lot of positive things happening with the Androscoggin, ranging from new recreational development and new parks to the revitalization of riverfronts like Lewiston-Aububrn’s,” said LaBonte. “While we know our visitors enjoy the balloons, hopefully they will remember the vantage point of L-A from which they saw them.”

Weather permitting, balloon-viewing trips on the Androscoggin River will launch from the Little Andy Park boat access on Second Street in Auburn. Launch times and further details will be available at www.facebook.com/advbound and at www.androscogginlandtrust.org