FOLEY — The eighth annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is set to take off this weekend.

The four-day event will feature a variety of the hot-air powered contraptions from across the nation.

“We have 47 balloons from 15 different states,” Festival Chairman Angie Johnston said in a telephone interview.

Those balloons will create a free spectacle that kicks off Thursday evening at Tanger Outlets.

“We’ll have a balloon glow at dusk, which is about 7:30 Thursday evening,” South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Director of Events Kristen Roberson said over the phone.

She explained that the balloon glow will feature the contraptions floating and illuminated. The event will be repeated Friday and Saturday evenings at the official location of the festival, Foley Sportspark, which is located at 18507 U.S. Highway 98 West in Foley.

But that’s not all the festival will have to offer.

“We’ll have vendors and awesome entertainment,” Johnston said, adding that a children’s village will feature activities for the youngsters, as well as arts-and-crafts booths and vendors offering wares and concessions available for purchase.

In addition, the weekend will include a Disc Connected K-o’s Frisbee Dog Show

“It’s a must-see,” Johnston said. “All of the dogs have been rescued.”

Plus, Saturday evening will spotlight the Gulf Coast Rising Stars Talent Show’s junior and senior winner performances. Additional entertainment will include DJ Tim Brown, Brooke Woods Band, Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monsters, the Modern El Dorados and Fly By Radio. Plus, the Antique Tractor Club and Alabama Forestry Commission will provide displays and demonstrations.

Of course, the balloons, themselves, are the stars of the yearly festival. According to Johnston, this year will provide attendees an opportunity to interact with the vessels.

“They’ll get to see inside the balloon envelope,” she said.

This will be accomplished by filling the balloons with cold air.

“People will be able to walk inside and see how balloons work,” Johnston said.

In addition, visitors will get to see some rather unusual balloons.

“We do have a balloon coming from New Mexico,” Roberson said. “It’s shaped like Smokey the Bear.”

Another unusual balloon will be in the shape of Oggy the Dragon, Johnston added.

The fun will last until 10 a.m. Sunday, when the festival closes. According to Johnston, that’s plenty of time for family bonding.

“I love that it’s a family event,” she said.

Since its 2004 inception, that family event has drawn a multitude of visitors.

“We usually anticipate about 75,000 people,” Roberson said.

Given that, parking can be an issue. But according to Roberson, several options are available. One is parking at the Sports Complex.

“The festival grounds offers on-site parking with unlimited entry for $5 per vehicle, per day,” she said.

The other option is the festival’s shuttle service, in which attendees can park at designated areas and ride to the festival on a shuttle for $2 per person. Those locations include Heritage Park, 124 E. Laurel Ave.,; the back entrance of Tanger Outlets, off Juniper Street behind Nike Outlets; and Foley Elementary School, 450 N. Cedar St.

For a complete schedule of activities and more information about the festival, visit www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com.