Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival Has New Location at OWA

Foley, AL (December 21, 2020): The South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce proudly announces an exciting change for the annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival future. For the first time in 16 years, the festival will now have a new home and be extended to a three-day event. As the event draws a larger crowd year after year the Chamber, City of Foley, and its partners saw a great opportunity to collaborate with OWA and relocate to their state-of-the-art property located at 100 N OWA Blvd.

A family-friendly event, the festival has activities for everyone! Festival admission is free with select activities available for an additional charge. Guests will enjoy the expansive amenities of OWA including delicious restaurants, unique retail shopping options, a variety of entertainment attractions, and of course, The Park at OWA, its themed amusement park with more than 20 rides and attractions. Traditional festival activities will also be added throughout the property during the festival weekend featuring  children’s activities, tethered balloon rides, balloon glows, balloons in flight, artesian and food vendors, live music, and more! 

More than 40 hot air balloons will light up the green space at OWA and soar through the skies in the heart of Foley on May 7^th, 8^th and 9^th. Balloons fly at dawn and dusk each day, wind and weather permitting. 

The festival kicks off at OWA on Thursday, May 6 with a balloon glow from 6-8 pm. The excitement continues on Friday, May 7 from 2-10 pm, Saturday, May 8 from 9 am – 10 pm and from 12 pm – 8 pm on Sunday, May 9.  For a small fee, use of the VIP area gives you a place to eat, rest, and enjoy fellowship! 

The official 2021 poster winner is Sabrina Steuber of Huntsville, AL. Sabrina has submitted art two years in a row and has been selected as the contest winner both times. Her colorful artwork will not only be the official poster this year, but you will also find it gracing the back of the official Balloon Fest T-shirts.

Sabrina, although a native of Huntsville, AL likes to consider Gulf Shores as her second home. Her family visits the area annually every fall for a family vacation. Sabrina is no stranger to submitting her art for various events and said she likes to submit to events that suit her personal style of art. She found out about the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival Poster Contest via the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance and has submitted to several events right here on the Gulf Coast. You can find more of her art work at The Beach Club. A few years back, Sabrina entered into a competition for Turtle Tracks and was chosen as one of the winners. Her design became a turtle sculpture and is on display permanently at The Beach Club. We are proud to have Sabrina’s art work as our official 2020 poster!