There is nothing quite as magical as seeing a giant fabric bag fill with air and lift into the sky.

See the magic and experience all the fun the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival has to offer May 2-4.

The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is celebrating its 20th year and the fourth year for the festival at OWA Parks & Resort. This year, over 50 balloons from across the nation will descend on Foley.

Don't miss the fun, packed and family-friendly weekend. The event is among the amenities of OWA, including its 23-ride amusement park, indoor water park and outdoor wave pool, as well as a selection of restaurants and retail shopping and live entertainment in Downtown OWA.

If you are looking for adventure, purchase a ticket for a hot air balloon tethered ride and see the sights as you rise 30-40 feet in the air, a special experience for fun junkies of all ages. Guests can also get the chance to meet the pilot and climb inside a hot air balloon. (All rides are wind and weather-dependent and require a ticket.) The Disc-Connect K9 Frisbee Dog Show is back with eight shows throughout the weekend.

The fun kicks off Thursday, May 2, at 4 p.m. with activities and entertainment, culminating with a Balloon Glow at 7:30 p.m. The festival will open to the public at 11 a.m. Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4. Morning flights are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 6-8 a.m. before the festival opens.

Tune in to WHEP Radio Baldwin 92.5 FM for live broadcasts of flight plans, including launch sites and flight paths, so you can have the best chance to catch them soaring through the skies.

The festival is free to attend with select activities available for an additional charge. The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival at OWA Parks & Resort benefits the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. It was named the 2021 Event of the Year by the Alabama Tourism Department.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com or www.visitowa.com.