A crew member helps inflate a balloon in 2019 at the Great Falls Balloon Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal file

Visiting balloons can’t get off the ground without the help of their crew members. Crew members are needed for the morning and evening flights throughout the weekend. All volunteers get to see launch and flight processes close-up, and also receive a free T-shirt.

Crew member volunteers:

• Must be at least 18;

• Should report to Simard-Payne Memorial Park at 5:30 a.m. for morning launches and 5 p.m. for evening launches;

• Will assist pilots with entering the field, unloading the basket and envelope, balloon inflation, balloon chase, landing and pack-up;

• Are asked to please take into consideration the fact that some of the balloon equipment is heavy before volunteering.

There are other ways in which volunteers can assist. All volunteers must register at volunteer@greatfallsballoonfestival.org or download a volunteer application from www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org. The Volunteer Director will be coordinating a Volunteer Meeting for all volunteers. Volunteer and Balloon Crew Volunteer contact is Director of Volunteers Colleen Landry.