Hot Air Balloons to Fill Foley Skies During Annual Festival

OBA Staff • March 27, 2025

Annual celebration draws locals and visitors for springtime festivities on the Gulf Coast

Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival will return to Foley in the first weekend of May, bringing three days of live music, family activities, and hot air balloon displays to the area. Presented by Columbia Southern University, the annual event remains free to the public and continues to draw thousands of visitors from across the region.

Hot air balloons will be on display at dawn and dusk, with scheduled glows and tethered rides planned each evening, weather permitting. Alongside the balloon events, the festival will feature live performances, animal encounters with the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, and shows by the Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Team. A full entertainment lineup is planned for each day.

Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are the heart and soul of our festival. From helping with event planning to assisting with balloon launches and ensuring that all activities and services run smoothly, the dedicated volunteers are essential to the success of the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival. By volunteering, you’ll play a crucial role in making this year’s event truly spectacular. You can learn more HERE.

Organizers note that all balloon activities are subject to change based on weather conditions. Attendees are encouraged to check the festival website for updates and a complete schedule of events.

Daily Schedules:

Thursday, May 1

4:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Festival opens to the public
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm: The Undertow Band
7:00 pm – 7:35 pm: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Style Entertainment
7:30 pm: Balloon Glow (weather permitting)

Friday, May 2

3:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Festival opens to the public
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Vibe Irie
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo at the Meet & Greet Tent
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (weather permitting)
5:00 pm – 5:35 pm: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Cadie Calhoun
7:00 pm – 7:35 pm: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
7:30 pm: Tethered Rides and Balloon Glow (weather permitting)
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm: Fly By Radio

Saturday, May 3

10:00 am – 10:00 pm: Festival opens to the public
11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo at Meet & Greet Tent
11:30 am – 12:05 pm: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (weather permitting)
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Hot Air Balloon Pilots at Meet & Greet Tent
3:00 pm – 3:35 pm: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Dorsten
6:30 pm – 7:05 pm: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
7:30 pm: Tethered Rides and Balloon Glow (weather permitting)
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm: The Tip Tops

Beat the traffic with our complimentary shuttle available at Liberty Church.

Friday: 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Saturday: 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Note: The festival is free to the public. Please note that hot air balloon activities are highly weather-dependent; flight and glow times may be delayed or canceled due to weather. Balloons are typically visible at dawn and dusk, subject to weather conditions.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Share this article w/ Friends...

Ribbon Cutting for Young's Hideaway Glamping - Photo by Marc Anderson

Orange Beach Officials Celebrate "Young's Hideaway" Glamping Site with Ribbon Cutting

By R. Ken Cooper • April 25, 2025

Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach officials and community members gathered to celebrate the opening of a new glamping site named "Young's Hideaway" in honor of longtime residents Cecil and Jesse Young. The project adds a unique accommodation option to the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Marks Opening of New Boat Ramp in Bon Secour

By OBA Staff • April 25, 2025

Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – A new public boat ramp on County Road 6 in Bon Secour was officially opened today during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship.

Free Surf Fishing Clinic for Kids Returns to the Gulf State Park

By R. Ken Cooper • April 25, 2025

Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Young anglers will have the chance to cast their lines and learn from local experts at the Gulf State Park Kids Surf Fishing Clinic this summer.

Pensacola Man Arrested After Break-In in Foley

By OBA Staff • April 24, 2025

Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – At around 2:45 a.m., Foley police responded to a burglary call on State Highway 59. Officers found a man inside the business and apprehended him. The suspect, 52-year-old Patrick Odell Levens from Pensacola, Florida, had used a power tool to cut a hole in the back wall to get inside.

Perdido Beach Resort Backs Orange Beach Schools with Major Gift

By OBA Staff • April 24, 2025

Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach City Schools and the Mako Academics, Arts, and Athletics Club have announced a major new sponsor. Perdido Beach Resort pledged to be a Diamond Level Sponsor for the 2025-2026 school year.

Cyclists Gear Up for 2025 Good Life Ride at Gulf State Park

By R. Ken Cooper • April 24, 2025

Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The popular Good Life Ride cycling event is set to return to Gulf State Park on May 10, 2025. The annual event, which attracts cycling enthusiasts from across the Southeast, will feature multiple route options designed to showcase the natural beauty of Alabama's coastal region.

Major Drainage Overhaul Taking Place on West Peachtree Avenue

By Guy Busby • April 24, 2025

Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Travel on West Peachtree Avenue will soon be smoother after the Foley City Council approved road repairs. The council voted to fix the road near Foley Airport last week. Jeff Phillips, the city construction projects manager, explained that collapsed metal storm drainage pipes buried alongside the road had damaged the street.

Orange Beach Schools Names Laatsch as Assistant Athletic Director

By OBA Staff • April 23, 2025

Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach City Schools has appointed Chris Laatsch as their new Assistant Athletic Director. The announcement came Wednesday as school officials welcomed the veteran coach to his expanded role within the athletics program.

Mystery Urn Washes Ashore in Gulf Shores

By OBA Staff • April 23, 2025

Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – An unusual discovery was made on the beaches of Gulf Shores last week. A funeral urn containing human ashes washed ashore after apparently being released into the Gulf of Mexico.

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Hosts Summer Zoo Camp for Kids

By OBA Staff • April 23, 2025

Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is inviting kids to experience a summer of adventure through its 2025 Zoo Camp program. The camp will give young animal lovers a hands-on opportunity to learn about wildlife and conservation.