FOLEY — Donna Watts had hoped this year’s Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival would be a successful one, and Monday she told the Foley City Council she got all she had hoped for and more.

Addressing the council during its Monday work session, Watts, President and CEO of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, said perfect weather helped make the 11^th annual event a hit.

“We had a great balloon festival, and the weather was the best thing about it,” Watts said. “It really did make an impact on the number of people that attended and the length of time they stayed.”

The festival took place in early May instead of on Father’s Day weekend as in previous years — a change Watts said only helped bring more people to the Foley Sports Complex.

“On Father’s Day weekend, I was sitting at home thanking the good Lord that we had great weather during the festival,” Watts said. “It was so hot this Father’s Day weekend.”

While there are no records kept for attendance at the annual festival, City Administrator Michael Thompson said he also felt the crowd this year surpassed those of previous years.

“You are comparing a summer event last year to a shoulder season this year, so even if you had the same turnout, that would be good,” Thompson said. “I think it was even better than before.”

Last August, the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce announced they would no longer host the event as it had grown to take up too many of the organization’s year-round resources.

Shortly after that announcement, City of Foley leaders stepped in to partner with the chamber, making sure the event would be held for the 11^th year.

“The partnership and relationship we have with the City of Foley is huge,” Watts said Monday. “The employees with the city are some of the best and they worked with us the entire way as this year’s festival came together.”

Watts also thanked the Foley police and fire departments as well as volunteers who helped make the event such a popular occasion.

“It was what I had hoped it would be,” Watts said. “People were coming and going, and families enjoyed themselves the whole weekend. We had a great one.”

She said the event now attracts attendees from across the region and the nation, rather than just from Foley and surrounding communities.

“I think our idea that we are only drawing people from the beach is not necessarily correct. “People come from long distances to be a part of this festival.”

The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is set to return to the Foley Sports Complex May 6 and 7, 2016.