Get ready to kick off the summer right with the “Spirit in America Hot Air Balloon Festival” presented by The Brunswick and Palace Playland, June 24^th through June 27^th, right here in Old Orchard Beach, Maine! 

Take an elegant ride over Maine’s most beautiful beach, experiencing breathtaking views of the Pier, palace Playland, and the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean, all from 500 feet over the soft sand and crashing waves.

Though recreational flights have been the primary use for hot air balloons, they also have been used in the military. Initially used as a form of communication, during the Civil War hot air balloons were used as a tool for aerial mapping and reconnaissance missions.

The first manned hot air balloon ride occurred over 200 years ago in Paris, France as Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier and Francois Laurent d’Arlandes floated up into the cool fall sky in a balloon created by Joseph-Michel Montolfier and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier.  Before this first manned ride, animals were often sent up to test how the tear drop shape balloons would fly. Now, hot air balloons can be made in different types of materials, shapes, and sizes.

This festival will be a four day weekend of family fun, starting on Thursday the 24^th. The weekend will kick off with a Beach Blanket dance featuring Tickle at The Brunswick, followed by romantic sunset balloon rides on both sides of the Pier.  To end the night, the first fireworks of the season will be launched!!! Is there a better way to welcome the summer on Old Orchard Beach?!

The balloon rides will continue all weekend long, starting at sunrise all the way until sunset.  Friday morning, Old Orchard Square will host the Stars and Stripes Bazaar where you can be sure to find everything for your summer needs.  That evening, the town square will change its hat and host the “Burger Blast,” a competition for the best burger at the beach!  The Bazaar will continue on Saturday morning, followed by a Lobster Bake on the Beach. For more details and a complete schedule of events check out OOB 365.

Rooms available starting at $159.95 at Waves Oceanfront Resort or $98 at The Sea View Inn.

This weekend is the 7^th Annual Back to the Beach Corvette weekend.  Events starting on Thursday, but have now fear, they continue through Sunday.  For all event listings check out http://back2thebeach.net/beachschedule.html.

If this isn’t your cup of tea, there is also a softball tournament going on in the area put on by Southern Maine Flames.  The tournament features teams from Maine as well as the surrounding states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  All games will be played in Scarborough, just a short drive from the beach.

Still not your cup of tea?!  Stay tuned for more upcoming events going on in Old Orchard in the next couple of weeks, including a Hot Air Balloon Festival. And of course we are always here for a quick getaway, and a break from reality!

The Ballpark was known for its baseball history was home to the Maine Phillies (1984-1988)who were an American minor league baseball franchise.  Prior to being the Maine Phillies, the Triple-A International League (IL) club was known as the Maine Guides, named for a classification of registered hunting and wilderness guides in the state called Maine Guides.

After years of neglect and a serious fire, Old Orchard Beach Ballpark — the former home of the Maine Guides (Class AAA; International League) — has been restored by volunteers and will host baseball again in the spring.  Come join us in Old Orchard Beach for the college baseball tournament “Where Baseball meets the Beach!”

The USCAA Baseball tournament is being hosted by Central Maine Community College and Southern Maine Community College.  It all kicks off on Monday May 9^th and events continue through Saturday may 15^th.  Events include the Mother’s Day “Parade of Teams” and Homerun Derby and of course a double elimination tournament.

So calling all baseball fans, head to Old Orchard Beach to witness a new beginning for the Old Orchard Beach Ballpark and college baseball at its finest.  Rooms are available at Waves Oceanfront Resort and Sea View Inn, only a mile and a half from the ballpark and right on the beach.

Since this is our first entry, we will take the time to tell you a little bit about ourselves. We are as close as you can get to Maine’s best beach! Waves is located directly on Old Orchard Beach, a white sand beach seven miles long and 700 yards wide. We are the largest hotel on the beach, with 167 rooms and 5 cottages, with private balconies, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness room, and an on property café, candy shop, and store. Just a short walk from your room you will be able to stroll the beach, and relax in the sand.

For some in town fun and excitement we are an easy walk to the famous Old Orchard Pier, a fixture on the beach since 1898. The pier is the centerpiece for family fun with an amusement park for the kids, shops, food, fun and entertainment. More adventure is only a short drive away to several amusement parks, deep sea fishing, golf courses, museums, and many other Maine Coast attractions.

Stay tuned for future blogs about local attractions, lighthouses, and good eats in the area. If you have suggestions on future post please let us know and we will do our best to shed some light on the topic.