The Ninth Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival returns to Foley June 14-15, with over 50 pilots from across the country attending this year's festival. To see if your favorite will be back again this year, visit our website. The spectacular event is presented by the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and has quickly grown into a top annual event on the Gulf Coast and across the southeastern U.S.

Held at the Foley Sportspark, 18507 U.S. Highway 98 West in Foley, guests can enjoy the floating works of art as they grace the skies of south Baldwin County — Saturday morning competition flights beginning at 6 a.m. You can even get up close and personal as the hot air balloons light up the evening skies at the nightly balloon glows, held Friday and Saturday nights between 7 and 9 p.m.

The balloons are not visible during mid-day due to wind conditions, but there are many other fun activities for all ages. Festival goers can enjoy free entertainment featuring something for every member of your family.

Events

Spread out your blanket, grab an ice cold drink and enjoy a variety of live music daily, from country to rock and roll. Exciting live musical performances will feature acts like The Tip Tops at 8:30 p.m. on Friday night.

Be sure to catch one of the many shows by the World Famous Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dog Show, a group of highly-trained canine dogs rescued from animal shelters. Toss after toss, you will be amazed as man’s best friend defies gravity catching their prized flying saucers.

Pet a baby alligator, dance like a butterfly to fun kid’s tunes, paint your face like a tiger or try a little family friendly game of limbo. The free Kid’s Fun Zone offers hours of fun for any age from 2 to 7 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Enjoy a snack while you stroll through the Arts & Crafts Village and Retail Marketplace featuring local crafters, artisans and retailers. View daily demonstrations from crafters and chefs, find a one of kind piece of art or souvenir. Vendors open from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Tune up your vocal cords and participate in the Gulf Coast Rising Stars Talent Competition set to take place on Friday and Saturday at Tanger Outlets. Singers compete for a chance to win cash as well as the opportunity to perform on the main stage at the festival. Entry forms can be downloaded on the festival website or picked up at both Tanger Outlets Guest Services locations.

Shuttle

Avoid festival traffic by riding the free shuttle busses from Tanger Outlets. Festival onsite parking is available for $5 per vehicle, per day. Onsite parking passes may be purchased for Friday or Saturday allowing for unlimited access each day of the festival.

Rides

Hot Air Balloon Tethered Rides are scheduled for Friday and Saturday Night. Hot Air Balloons carry passengers up to 25 feet in the air giving them a bird’s eye view of the festival. Hot Air Balloons are tied to ground using ropes while passengers experience a smooth ascent and descent in the balloon.

A limited number of ride tickets will be sold prior to and during the festival. No refunds or exchanges will be given in the event of inclement weather or cancellation of balloon rides. See rider restrictions on the site for full details.

Hours of balloon ride operations-

Friday and Saturday 7-8:30 p.m., or until tickets are sold out.

Operations are weather permitting, winds must be less than 6 mph and stable.

Price-

Adults (13+): $20 per person

Children (6-12): $15 per person

Ages 5 and under, pregnant women, or individuals with health conditions: Not eligible

No refunds or exchanges will be given in the event of inclement weather or cancellation of balloon rides.

How to pre-purchase hot air balloon ride vouchers-

Purchase rides on the website. Upon purchase, a ride voucher receipt will be electronically sent to you. The electronic voucher receipt must be printed out, taken to the festival on your designated ride night and redeemed at the Balloon Ride Tent on the festival grounds between of the hours of 12-8:00 p.m.

For a complete schedule of events, shuttle routes and to see photos and videos of the event, visit www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com, find us on Facebook or call 251-943-3291.