FOLEY — The South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and OWA Parks & Resort are teaming up to put on the 19th annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley. Over 50,000 are expected to attend the three-day event, May 4-6.
The festival includes tethered rides on hot air balloons, glow balloons, children’s activities, arts and crafts and live entertainment. Live entertainment will be provided by several bands, including The Red Clay Strays and Bangarang Peter, plus there will be a tribal performance on the OWA Island Stage the last day.
South Baldwin Chamber Director of Events Rachel Spear has been part of planning the festival for months. She gave 1819 News a little history on how it all got started.
"The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival was started after Hurricane Ivan as a way to remind people that the Gulf Coast was still here and thriving.," Spear explained. "Nineteen years later, we are one of the largest events in Baldwin County. Hot air balloons can bring so much joy to those who experience them and we love being able to provide that opportunity for so many people."
The line-up for the festival was recently announced:
Thursday, May 4
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Festival open to the public
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Funky Lampshades
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Doctor Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster 7:30 pm – Balloon Glow (weather permitting)
Friday, May 5
11:00 am – 10:00 pm – Festival open to the public
11:00 am – 2:00 pm – Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo at the Meet & Greet Tent 2:00 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
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Grits & Greens
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Ryan Dyer Band
7:30 pm – Tethered Rides and Balloon Glow (weather permitting)
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm – D Play
Saturday, May 6
11:00 am – 10:00 pm - Festival open to the public
11:00 am – 2:00 pm - Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo at Meet & Greet Tent
11:30 am – 12:00 pm – National Anthem by Coastal Voices of Praise
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm – PCI Pow Wow Club Tribal Performance
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Jacob Brock
2:00 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
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Bangarang Peter
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Ben Loftin & The Family
7:30 pm – Tethered Rides and Balloon Glow (weather permitting)
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm – The Red Clay Strays The event is free for the public to attend.
For more information, go to gulfcoastballoonfestival.com.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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