Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival Update: Friday’s Festivities Continue, Saturday’s Events Canceled Due to Weather Forecast
- Lori
- May 2
- 2 min read
FOLEY, AL — The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival continues its vibrant celebration tonight, Friday, May 2, 2025, at OWA Parks & Resort in Foley, Alabama. Festival gates open at 3 PM, with a full lineup of exciting activities, including live music, vendor shopping, the Disc-Connected K9s Dog Show, and the much-anticipated Balloon Glow.
However, due to severe weather predictions including heavy rain and thunderstorms for Saturday, May 3, all activities for Saturday’s festival day have been canceled. This decision was made to ensure the safety of festival guests, pilots, volunteers, vendors, and staff.
Friday Night’s Festivities Are ON!
Festivalgoers are invited to join the fun this evening! Guests can enjoy a variety of activities on the festival grounds, including:
Live music performances
A selection of unique vendors
The Disc-Connected K9s Dog Show
Delicious food and treats
In addition, the Balloon Glow is scheduled to take place tonight. The balloon glow field will be open once it’s safe for festivalgoers to enter. Announcements will be made over the intercom once the field is ready for access. For safety, please stay behind the barricades and allow the balloon crews ample room to safely inflate the balloons. Additionally, the gravel road near the balloon field must remain clear for emergency vehicles at all times.
The festival team will post an update after the pilots meet at 5:30 PM regarding the balloon glow’s status.
Saturday’s Weather-Related Cancellation
Due to the forecasted inclement weather, including rain and potential thunderstorms, Saturday’s scheduled events are canceled to prioritize the safety of attendees and participants. Festival organizers have worked closely with weather officials to monitor the situation and made this decision out of an abundance of caution.
“We are grateful for everyone who has joined us so far and want to express our appreciation for their understanding regarding the cancellation of Saturday’s activities,” said event organizers. “We encourage festivalgoers to join us tonight for a fantastic evening of entertainment and fun before the weather takes a turn.”
Looking Ahead
Thank you to everyone who attended the festival this week, and we look forward to seeing you at next year’s event in 2026. Despite the weather challenges on Saturday, the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is an event full of joy and excitement, and the community support has been overwhelming.
For updates and more information, please visit the official Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival website: www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com. Stay connected with us on social media to get real-time event updates and announcements.
