The 2026 Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is Presented By As an innovator in online education for 30 years, CSU was established to provide an alternative to the traditional university experience. CSU offers online associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees such as business administration, criminal justice, fire administration and occupational safety and health. Visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu or call (877) 347-6050 to learn more. VISIT CSU 2026 SPONSORS Thank you to all of our incredible sponsors for making this festival possible! Your generosity and support help create an unforgettable experience for our community. We appreciate your commitment and partnership—this event wouldn’t be the same without you! See Sponsorship Opportunities Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Foley Alabama Propane Exchange Coastal Alabama Community College Bella Beach Properties RJ's Seamless Gutters White Sands RV Island House Hotel United Bank Foley Fox Pest Control Liberty Church Liberty Linen Dentistry of Foley Jim 'N Nick's Community Bar-B-Q Alpha & Omega Construction Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo TownePlace Suites at OWA Spectrum Environmental South Shore Insurance Agency The Brick Oven

Schedule of Events 🎈 Stay Up to Date on Balloon Activities! Hot air balloons fly only at sunrise or within an hour of sunset when winds are calm and predictable. Factors like heat thermals and atmospheric pressure also play a role in flight decisions. So, what does this mean for the festival? If the weather permits, look to the skies between 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM on FRIDAY and SATURDAY for breathtaking balloon flights. In the early evening, enjoy the mesmerizing Balloon Glow on the festival grounds (all 3 nights weather permitting). Plus, wind and weather permitting, interactive balloon activities are available throughout the day! REMINDER: All Balloon activities are weather dependent. Flights & Glows take place only at dusk and dawn when conditions permit. THURSDAY May 1, 2025 * Amphitheater on the Island ** Meet & Greet Tent in Festival Field 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm Festival Opens with vendors: Food, Retail, Arts & Crafts 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm 🍴 VIP Tent Only: Dinner available to VIP ticket holders 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Arts & Crafts Vendors Open in Downtown OWA 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free Kids Activities throughout Downtown OWA 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Hair Wraps and Glitter Tattoos Acroos from Waffles R Wild 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm Free Lawn Games on the Island 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm 🎵 Live Music by The Undertow Band* 5:00 pm Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show 🐾 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm 🎵 Live Music by Style Entertainment* 7:00 pm Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show 🐾 7:30 pm 🎈 Balloon Glow (weather & wind permitting) FRIDAY May 2, 2025 * Amphitheater on the Island ** Meet & Greet Tent in Festival Field 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm Festival Opens with Vendors: Food, Retail, Arts & Crafts 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm 🎵 Live Music by Vibe Irie* 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Meet & Greet** 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free Balloon Artist across from Waffles R Wild 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free Lawn Games on the Island 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm 🍴 VIP Tent Only: Dinner available to VIP ticket holders 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free Kids Activities throughout Downtown OWA 4:00 pm – Until 🎈 Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (weather & wind permitting) 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 🎵 Live Music by Cadie Calhoun* 5:00 pm Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show 🐾 7:00 pm Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show 🐾 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm 🎵 Live Music by Fly By Radio* 7:30 pm 🎈 Tethered Rides & Balloon Glow (weather & wind permitting) Saturday’s Events Canceled Due to Weather Forecast SATURDAY May 3, 2025 * Amphitheater on the Island ** Meet & Greet Tent in Festival Field 10:00 am – 9:30 pm Festival Opens with vendors: Food, Retail, Arts & Crafts [NOTE: Vendors will close at 9 PM] 11:00 am – 2:00 pm Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Meet & Greet ** 11:30 am Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show 🐾 1:00 pm OWA Theater Showcase 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm 🎈 Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (weather & wind permitting) 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free Glitter Tattoos across from Waffles R Wild 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free Lawn Games on the Island 2:00 pm 🎬 OWA Theater Showcase 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm 👨✈️ Hot Air Balloon Pilots Meet & Greet** 3:00 pm Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show 🐾 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm 🎵 Live Music by The BIG Reveal* 4:00 pm 🎬 OWA Theater Showcase 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm 🍴 VIP Tent Only: Dinner is available to VIP ticket holders 5:00 pm 🎬 OWA Theater Showcase 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 🎵 Live Music by Dorsten* 6:30 pm Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show 🐾 7:30 pm 🎈 Tethered Rides & Balloon Glow (weather & wind permitting) 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm 🎵 Live Music by The Tip Tops* FUTURE FESTIVAL DATES: APR 30 - MAY 2, 2026

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