If you’re going to be on the Gulf Coast during Father’s Day weekend, June 15 to 17, you’re in for a real treat. The annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival will be in full ‘flight’ for visitors and locals, alike. Just a short drive from Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is the City of Foley and the Foley Sportspark, where the event takes place.

Whether you are an early riser or prefer to do your festival rounds in the evening, there will be more than 50 hot air balloons from around the country to view as they float their way across the skies of South Baldwin County. For the best views of the balloons in the air, look skyward in Foley at about 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Balloons are also scheduled to light up the evening skies with a balloon glow around 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The view will be spectacular, and something you will not want to miss!

When you aren’t watching the skies, you’ll have the opportunity to hear a variety of local musicians and other live entertainment, as well as interesting demonstrations and great food from vendors. The kids will love the Disc Connected K-9’s Frisbee Dog Show, as well as the Children’s Village, open from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Kids will be treated to free entertainment, including inflatables, reptile displays and face painting.

Festival hours are from 2 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 6 to 10 a.m. on Sunday. Admission to the festival is free. There will be a shuttle service offered from three Foley locations with a $2 fare per person per route. The shuttles can be boarded at Foley Elementary (450 n. Cedar St.), Foley Heritage Park at the intersection of Highways 59 and 98E and Tanger Outlet Mall (2610 S. McKenzie St.).

See you soon!