FOLEY, Ala. — What goes up must come down. At the Fifth Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival you can watch the hot air balloons do just that.

The event, held at the Foley Soccer Complex, began when the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce was looking for an event that would not only help put the community on the map, but also serve as a way to make funds.

In conjunction with Tommy Rachel of Foley’s Taking Off Hot Air Balloon Company, the balloon festival was born. The hardest part was finding a perfect weekend to hold the event.

“Balloon pilots constantly had weekend commitments at other festivals or competitions,” Communications Director at SBCC LaDonna Hinesley said. “We were finally able to settle on Father’s Day weekend. It worked out great because it has turned into an event people can bring their fathers to and spend the entire day together. Everyone enjoys themselves.”

While the festival will not feature full rides, tether rides that go up about 30 to 40 feet are available free of charge.

“You don’t need to take a flight to enjoy it,” Hinesley said. “Just seeing how the pilots transport the balloons, and blow up the balloons is a sight in itself.”

If you want to see the balloons, be sure to arrive at the festival early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as no balloons will fly between these times.

“The balloons can only fly during these hours because the winds are very still,” Hinesley said. “They are also dependent on the weather, which is perfect early morning and late afternoon for flights.”

If you can’t make it during these flights, don’t fret; there’s something for everyone.

Multiple arts and crafts vendors will be present, food, drinks, entertainment, a children’s village and a frisbee dog show will all take center stage when the balloons are not in the sky.

If you are lucky enough to schedule a balloon ride at a later time, Hinesley assures it an experience like no other, and those with a fear of heights should not fear this flight.

“Fear is not a strong enough word for how I feel about heights,” she said. “The balloon moves with the wind and it just feels like you are floating. I’m more afraid of the ferris wheel at The Wharf. When you are up in the balloon you can look south and see the condos on the gulf. Look west and you can see the bay. We are so close to water and sometimes I think we forget that. When you’re up in the balloon you realize just how close we are.”

Hinesley recommends parking at either Heritage Park or Foley Elementary school. Free festival shuttles will be present at both locations to transport balloon enthusiast to and from the festival free of charge. Traffic and parking at the festival sight will be difficult.

For more information call the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce at 943-3291.