Splashes of color will fill the sky May 1 and 2 as the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival takes flight. The 11th annual festival is sponsored by Tanger Outlets, which is also home to the kick-off party and balloon glow event on Thursday, April 30, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Visitors can view 10 balloons up-close, including Let’s Get High, piloted by Ellis Calvert and Touchstone Energy, piloted by 2001 Guinness World Record Holder Cheri White.

Festival hours are 2 – 10 p.m. on Friday, May 1, and 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 and the Foley Sports Park on Highway 98 West. Many of the same activities will be available for children and adults alike. Tethered hot air balloon rides are available both Friday and Saturday nights, providing the weather is favorable. A limited number of tickets will be sold for the tethered rides, and can be purchased online. The World Famous Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dog Show is always a crowd favorite and will be back for another weekend of dog tricks and treats. Mitchell Brothers and Sons carnival is a new surprise for visitors this year. The carnival will be open 2 – 10 p.m. and wristbands are $25 for unlimited fun. Wristbands can be purchased at Tanger Outlets, Bryant Bank or online.

Live entertainment includes Sugarcane Jane, Chee Weez, Jeri, Rhythm Intervention and Escalade. While listening to live music, browse the arts and crafts booths, vendor booths, enjoy a crawfish boil and much more.

Attendance at past festivals has been 65,000, and organizers are expecting the crowd to grow this year.

Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides

Hot air balloon tethered rides are scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights (approximately 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.). Hot air balloons carry passengers over 25 feet in the air giving them a bird’s eye view of the festival. Hot air balloons are tied to ground using ropes while passengers experience a smooth ascent and descent in the balloon.

Rides are $20 for adults or $15 for children (ages 6 – 12). No riders under the age of 6 are allowed. Tethered rides are weather dependent, No refunds will be given for inclement weather. For tickets, visit GulfCoastBalloonFestival.com.

Shuttle and Parking

Free shuttle service is available behind the Nike Factory Store at Tanger Outlets and from the Trawick Center in the Bryant Bank parking lot to the festival grounds. The shuttle runs Friday and Saturday from 2 – 10 p.m. Onsite parking is available for $5.

New activities, same great fun.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

7 – 8:30 p.m.

Tanger Outlets Kickoff and Glow Event

Hot air balloon glow

Four-Day Super Sale

Spin the wheel for free prizes

FRIDAY, MAY 1

2 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Foley Sports Complex

Carnival by Mitchell Brothers Carnival

World Famous Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dog Show

Crawfish boil

Arts, crafts and food

Live entertainment: Sugarcane Jane 5 – 7 p.m.

Tethered rides at dusk

Live music headliner: Chee Weez 8:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Hot air balloon glow at dusk

SATURDAY, MAY 2

6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Foley Sports Complex

Carnival by Mitchell Brothers 2 – 10 p.m.

World Famous Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dog Show

Crawfish boil

Arts, crafts and food

Live entertainment: JERI 2 – 4:30 p.m.

Live entertainment: Rhythm Intervention 4:30 – 7 p.m.

Tethered rides at dusk

Live music headliner: Escalade 8:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Hot air balloon glow at dusk