FOLEY, Ala. — The 11^th annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place a little earlier next year.

During Wednesday’s Leadership Lunch installment at FoleyCivicCenter, South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Donna Watts announced that the festival will now be held the first weekend in May at the Soccer Complex in Foley.

“It’ll be a little cooler, hopefully,” she told attendees.

Watts said the Chamber Committee “just met” and set the next festival for May 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd.

“This will be our 11^th year,” she said.

Watts also said the 2015 event should feature some new food and entertainment attractions to enhance the event's Gulf Coast flavor.

“We’re going to have a crawfish boil,” she said, “and maybe add some Zydeco music.”

Watts said the next festival should also in clued more rides, games and activities.

“I’m excited for what’s going to develop with this new phase,” she said.

This announcement comes a month after the Chamber rescinded its plans to stop hosting the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival.

In August, Chamber officials voted to cease hosting the event. Later that month, the city of Foley announced its plans to continue the annual festival. Then in September, Foley City Council President Wayne Trawick announced that the Chamber Board of Directors made the decision in a special meeting held earlier that day.

Watts confirmed that announcement, explaining that the Chamber and the city of Foley will partner to present future Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival events. Chamber representatives said the city’s increase in the sponsorship and additional resources made the decision possible.