Item 11106 - Houlton Fair balloon demonstration, 1914

Item 11106 - Houlton Fair balloon demonstration, 1914
Contributed by Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum
Item 11106
Houlton Fair balloon demonstration, 1914
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The third annual Houlton Fair was held August 25, 26 and 27, 1914 at the newly created Houlton Community Park. It featured livestock, horse racing, a midway and special troups of performers.

A professor Flaxon gave several balloon ascensions with parachute drops.

The Aroostook Times reported that "the Thursday flight was probably the most successful of any. Promptly at three o'clock the word was given to cut loose and the great canvas ship sailed majestically straight up, with scarcely a breath of wind to interfere.

"The sky was entirely clear of clouds and on this flight Prof. Flaxon did several circus stunts hanging by his feet from the bar, flirting with death for several minutes.

"Six drops were made on this flight and as each parachute opened it was greeted by a thunderous applause from the spectators and hundreds of automobile horns. The landing was easily made inside the enclosure so that everybody had a chance to see how it was done."

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