Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival returns to OWA with expanded kid's area
If you’re going to be near Foley at the break of dawn or at dusk next weekend, be sure to look up. You might just see a hot air balloon or two − or 55.
“We actually have one from Arizona this year, as well as one from California,” said South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Event Director Rachel Spear. “We’ve been gaining a lot of interest from pilots all over the United States.”
Returning for its 19th year, the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival has continued its upward trajectory. The South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce is once again teaming up with the city of Foley and OWA Parks & Resort to accommodate the increased foot traffic and interest. Even though this will be its third year at the entertainment district, there’s going to be a few changes in how the fest will be laid out.
“We’ll have a little bit fewer vendors out in the field,” Spear said. “Last year, we had about 110 and this year we’re going to have about 80. We will be using the extra space for a kid’s area, which is something we didn’t have last year − like an inflatable obstacle course, inflatable axe throwing, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos, things like that. It’ll be $10 wristbands, all day play, come and go as you please.”
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Spear hopes these changes will add to the abundance of entertainment happening throughout the day.
“We have so much to offer during the day with all of our vendors and kid’s activities and live entertainment,” Spear said. “Our balloon events are all weather permitting and you’ll only see them in the early morning or early evening. So we hope that people will come spend the day with us and enjoy the event from start to finish.”
If you’re simply wanting to see the balloons light up the night, be sure to arrive two hours before sunset, or 5 p.m. Winds must be between 4 to 6 mph in order for the balloons to ideally fly and glow each morning and evening.
Spear says it’s also not too late to sign up and volunteer.
“The biggest need is always crew members,” Spear said. “For morning flights and, of course, evening glows. It takes about four to five people to inflate a hot air balloon, so we’re always looking for extra hands to be part of the crew.”
Admission is free for the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival. For more information, visit www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival 2023 returns to Foley at OWA
