Here’s a quick and simple guide to how hot air ballooning works and what to expect at the Gulf Hot Air Balloons 101: What You Need to Know Before You Go Hot air balloons are one of the most exciting parts of the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival—but they’re also a little tricky. Because of weather and safety rules, the balloons can’t always go up when we’d all like them to. To help clear things up , here’s a quick and simple guide to how ballooning works and what to expect. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you better understand how it all works: 🌤️ Balloons Aren’t Out All Day—Here’s Why: While we’d love to have balloons floating in the sky all day, it’s simply not possible. Balloons rely on very specific weather conditions, and unfortunately, that means they can’t be inflated or flown around the clock. 💨 Weather & Wind Matter—a Lot: Hot air balloons need calm, stable air to safely lift off. That’s why you’ll only see scheduled launches in the early morning and late afternoon—times when the air is more stable. During the day, the sun heats the ground, creating rising columns of warm air (called thermals), which make flying unsafe. 🌧️ No Rain, Please: Even light rain or the potential for rain will ground a balloon. Wet fabric can affect the balloon's weight and performance, and safety is always the priority—for the pilots, passengers, and spectators. 🌙 No Flights After Dark: The FAA prohibits balloon flights in the dark, but we can still enjoy the beauty of balloons during our Balloon Glow events. These are tethered displays (weather permitting), where balloons light up the night sky—but even this depends on low wind conditions (ideally under 8–10 mph). 🔥 The Cost of Flight: Even if balloons could stay up all day, the cost of propane alone would be through the roof. Flying is special—and it’s meant to be. 🤝 Get Involved—Join a Balloon Crew: Want a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to launch and pack up a hot air balloon? We offer opportunities to volunteer as balloon crew members! It’s a great way to learn the process and see firsthand why some calls get made at the last minute. 🎪 More Than Balloons: While balloons are the heart of the festival, they’re not the only attraction. You’ll find live entertainment, shopping, food vendors, and a carnival throughout the weekend. It’s a time to gather with family and friends, soak in the festive atmosphere, and enjoy all that the event has to offer—balloons or not. 😎 A Note on Coastal Weather If you’ve spent any time in South Alabama, you know how quickly the weather can change—especially with coastal winds rolling in from the Gulf of America. Even if balloons are scheduled to go up at a certain time, that doesn’t guarantee they will. Wind speed, direction, storms, and even pop-up showers can delay or cancel a balloon activity altogether. We do our best to wait until the last possible moment before making the call, just in case the weather shifts in our favor. The festival is scheduled across several days, and some years the weather is perfect the whole time. Other years, not so much—and unfortunately, that part is out of our control. The best way to stay in the loop? Watch the forecast and follow our social media channels and the News section of our website for the most up-to-date info. We’ll keep you posted on any schedule changes, delays, or cancellations as soon as decisions are made.

ABOUT US The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival has brought color, excitement, and community spirit to Foley, Alabama. What started as a small gathering has grown into a beloved annual tradition, drawing visitors from near and far to experience the magic of hot air balloons. FESTIVAL FOUNDER Tommy Rachel Tommy Rachel, a seasoned hot air balloon pilot from Magnolia Springs, Alabama, is the visionary behind the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival. Drawing from his extensive experience in ballooning, Tommy proposed the idea to the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, leading to the festival's inception in 2005. Beyond organizing, Tommy serves as the festival's balloonmeister, ensuring the safety and coordination of balloon activities. His dedication to the community and the sport was recognized in 2020 when he was honored as the Walton M. Vines Free Enterprise Person of the Year by the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. Our Journey So Far . . . 2005 TAKING FLIGHT: THE BEGINNING In the wake of Hurricane Ivan, the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival lifted off for the first time at the Foley Sports Complex. Local balloonist Tommy Rachel brought the idea to the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, which embraced the vision. Together, they launched an event that has since become a cherished tradition. From its humble beginnings, the festival quickly became a beloved annual celebration, filling Baldwin County’s skies with vibrant color and wonder. 2010 A GROWING TRADITION By 2010, the festival had firmly established itself as a must-attend event on the Gulf Coast. Attendance surged as balloonists from across the country participated, thrilling crowds with dazzling balloon glows and tethered rides. Family-friendly activities, arts and crafts vendors, and live entertainment enhanced the experience, creating a true community celebration. The festival’s success was a testament to the dedication of organizers, volunteers, and local businesses that helped it grow year after year. WE EXTEND A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS ♡ The City of Foley All Departments including Police, Fire, and Public Works OWA Parks & Resort

Privacy Policy Last update: FEB 2025 Welcome to the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival website (gulfcoastballoonfestival.com). Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use your information. 1. Information We Collect We do not collect personal information such as names or email addresses. However, we may collect general user data through analytics and tracking technologies to improve our website and marketing efforts. 2. How We Use Data We use Google Analytics and cookies to track website traffic, user interactions, and preferences. This helps us understand how visitors engage with our site so we can improve the experience. 3. Third-Party Links & Services Our Website may contain links to third-party websites, including the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce for VIP ticket sales. We also connect to our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and X). These third parties have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review them. 4. Cookies & Tracking Technologies We use cookies and similar tracking tools to enhance your browsing experience and provide marketing insights. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. 5. Photo & Media Usage Images used on this Website come from our official social media accounts and select photographers who partner with the festival. 6. Opt-Out Options If you prefer not to be tracked, you can: Adjust your browser settings to block cookies. Use Google’s opt-out tool ( https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout ). 7. Contact Us If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact: the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. 📞 (251) 943-3291

The 2025 Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival may have wrapped up a couple of weeks ago, but it’s not too late to grab a piece of the magic! If you didn’t get a chance to shop during the event—or just want to snag an extra tee or keepsake—you’re in luck. We’ve added remaining merchandise to our website, available for a limited time while supplies last! Our online shop features a colorful collection of 2025 t-shirts, tanks, youth sizes, and cozy long sleeves, plus fun souvenirs like posters, lapel pins, mugs, sunglasses, water bottles, and more. It’s the perfect way to relive the memories or surprise a balloon-loving friend with something special. We even have 'throwback' swag from past years, but it is limited in size and quantity. 🎨 This year’s poster and t-shirt artwork was designed by our 2025 Poster Contest winner, Mallory Ingram!  Her vibrant, original design captures the spirit and beauty of the festival and is a must-have for collectors and fans alike. 🎉 Browse the collection and shop now at: gulfcoastballoonfestival.com/merch Join us next year—be sure to mark your calendars— the 2026 Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is set for April 30 – May 2, 2026 ! Interested in being a part of the fun as a sponsor next year? Reach out to our Events Director, Rachel Spear , to learn more about exciting partnership opportunities. Thanks for another wonderful year—and happy shopping! 🎈

Foley, AL – May 5, 2025  – The 2025 Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, presented by Columbia Southern University, brought thousands together for a colorful and fun-filled celebration at OWA Parks & Resort. Festivalgoers were treated to a magical Thursday night Balloon Glow, a lively and festive Friday, both with music, shopping, and family activities. “We’re incredibly grateful to Columbia Southern University for joining us as our presenting sponsor for this year,” said Travis Valentine, President/CEO of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. “Their partnership played a key role in making this year’s festival such a success, and we truly appreciate their support of this special community event.” Presenting Sponsor: Columbia Southern University President, Dr. Ken Styron, DBA, with Sir Maximus, the CSU mascot! Although we hoped for a repeat performance Friday night, Mother Nature had other plans. We waited as long as we could, watching the weather closely, but with developing storms and high winds in the area, we made the difficult decision to cancel the Friday night balloon glow and all Saturday activities to keep our guests, pilots, vendors, and volunteers safe. Safety is always our top priority. Even with the Saturday cancellation, we’re so grateful to everyone who came out to enjoy the festival. From the live music and Disc-Connected K9s dog shows to the unique vendor booths and all the fun throughout OWA’s shops, dining, and theme parks — we hope you had a blast! “The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is not only our largest event of the year, it’s one that truly brings our community together. We’re proud to host an event that supports our local economy, highlights South Baldwin’s hospitality, and creates unforgettable experiences for locals and visitors," said Valentine. “This festival was the brainchild of balloon meister Tommy Rachel and then-CEO Donna Watts, who brought the idea to our board 21 years ago — and we’re honored to continue building on that legacy.” A big thank you to our event partner, OWA Parks & Resort, for their incredible support in hosting and coordinating this unique experience, along with the amazing live entertainment on the Island Stage! This free community event takes many months to plan and could not happen without the incredible support of the City of Foley, Foley Fire & Police Departments, and our generous sponsors. A heartfelt thank you to our tireless volunteers and all of the amazing balloon pilots and crews who traveled from across the country to be here and share their passion with us. “We’d like to thank everyone who came out to the 21st Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival presented by Columbia Southern University! While Saturday’s weather didn’t cooperate, we were thrilled with the fantastic turnout and the energy everyone brought to the event," said Rachel Spear, Director of Events for the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. “We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from our community, visitors, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers — and especially the City of Foley and OWA Parks & Resort. This event takes months of planning, and seeing it come to life is always rewarding. We can’t wait to watch it continue to grow and evolve in the years to come — and we hope to see everyone back at next year’s fest.” A heartfelt thank you to the talented pilots  who traveled from near and far to attend and provide our guests with such a magical experience. We’re also deeply grateful to our incredible entertainers  and vendors  for sharing their amazing talents. It’s an honor and a privilege to host this special event—one that brings together residents and visitors alike to celebrate and enjoy the beauty of South Baldwin County! 📅 Save the date!  The 2026 Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held April 30 – May 2, 2026, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back for even more fun, color, and community. [photo by OWA Parks & Resort] Follow us on our social media channels for the latest updates and future announcements — More photo shares will be posted soon! NOTE ABOUT TICKETS: The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is a free event open to the public. VIP parking passes are valid all weekend for flexibility. As ballooning is weather-dependent, all ticketed experiences follow a no-refund policy outlined at purchase. However, if you purchased VIP parking and did not check in or attend any day of the event, we’ll contact you about a refund. For those who purchased the $150 VIP Experience, we’ll reach out via the email provided at checkout regarding a partial refund for Saturday.

2025 GCHABF Balloon Glow 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. 2025 GCHABF Balloon Glow 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.