The city's largest annual event will receive additional support after Foley City Council voted Monday, Jan. 5, to increase funding for the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival.

The festival, organized each May by the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, draws tens of thousands of visitors to the area and has become a major economic driver for the city. In 2024, attendance reached about 32,000, up from 25,000 the previous year. During the festival weekend, restaurant revenue jumped more than 30% and hotel occupancy climbed to 95%, according to chamber reports.

Travis Valentine, chamber president and CEO, told council members the new funding will expand marketing efforts and explore additional ways to track the event’s economic impact for both the city and the chamber.

“The festival has grown substantially in recent years,” Valentine said during a recent council discussion.

The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival began in Foley in 2005 and has been recognized as one of the state’s top festivals. In 2021, it was named Event of the Year by the Alabama Tourism Department and has been listed as a signature event by the Southeast Tourism Society.

The festival now features about 55 hot air balloons from across the country and in recent years has been held at OWA Parks & Resort. Valentine noted that costs have risen significantly, with festival expenses increasing more than 65% over the last decade.

In addition to funding, the city supports the event each year with police, fire, and sanitation services. Foley also sponsors a balloon that participates in the festival.

For more information about the festival, visit www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com.