Schedule
Balloon flights and displays are weather dependent, taking place only at dusk and dawn when conditions permit.
The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is approaching its 18th year of flying! We are excited you are interested in coming to this year’s event that will feature more than 50 balloons from across the country! Join us at OWA for this fun filled weekend!
2022 Schedule of Events
Morning flights are scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning and take place between 6:00-8:00 am. Flights take place before the festival is open. Tune into WHEP Radio Baldwin 92.5 FM for live broadcasting of flight plans. Listen to find out their launch site and flight path so you can catch them in the skies!
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Balloon Glow Kick Off Event
5 – 10 p.m.
*Amphitheater on the Island
**Meet and Greet Tent in Festival Field
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Festival Open with food vendors, arts and craft vendors and retail vendors.
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Yeah Probably
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – The Tip Tops
7:30 pm – Balloon Glow (weather and wind permitting)
Friday, May 13, 2022
Festival opens to public
11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
* Amphitheater on the Island
**Meet and Greet Tent in Festival Field
11:00 am – 10:00 pm – Festival Open with food vendors, arts and craft vendors and retail vendors.
11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Gypsy Spark*
11:00 am – 2:00 pm – Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo**
1:15 pm – 1:30 pm – Legends Sneak Peek*
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Jenna McLelland*
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (weather and wind permitting)
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Hot Air Balloon Pilots**
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Southern Approach*
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Miss Alabama, Lauren Bradford**
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – 56Low*
7:30 pm – Tethered Rides, Balloon Glow and Mass Ascension begin (weather and wind permitting)
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Miles Flatt Band*
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Festival open to public
11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
* Amphitheater on the Island
**Meet and Greet Tent in Festival Field
11:00 am – 10:00 pm – Festival Open with food vendors, arts and craft vendors and retail vendors.
11:00 am – 2:00 pm – Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo**
11:30 am – 11:45 am – Legends Sneak Peek and National Anthem*
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm – PCI Tribal Performance*
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Mario Mena*
2:00 – 4:00 pm – Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (wind and weather permitting)
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm – Legends Sneak Peek*
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Hot Air Balloon Pilots **
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – DJ Music*
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Kirk Jay*
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Miss Alabama, Lauren Bradford**
7:30 pm – Tethered Rides, Balloon Glow and Mass Ascension begin (weather and wind permitting)
7:00 pm – 10:30 pm – Velcro Pygmies*