FOLEY, Ala. - Once a year, hot air balloons fill the southern Baldwin County skies and amaze residents and tourists alike. Beginning Friday evening, 47 balloon pilots took center stage as they staked their claim to the air above.

Residents were able to witness the balloon-filled skies at the Foley Sportsplex on U.S. 98 early Saturday and Sunday morning and late afternoon on Friday and Saturday.

The southern Alabama weather was kind at times and angry at others to the seventh annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, with much of the balloon activities being dependent on wind speed and direction. The media flight scheduled for Friday was canceled due to weather issues, but five balloons did glow Thursday evening at the Tanger Outlets for the glowing ceremony to officially kick off the festivities.

Disc-Connected K9s, of Jacksonville, Fla., excited and amused the crowds Friday afternoon with their frisbee catching skills. Inflatables and other games were offered, as well as vendors and food and drink stands. Balloons glowed Friday evening while some balloons flew over the park. Almost all of the balloons took to the air Saturday morning as storm cells broke up quick enough to allow a window of flight time.

Some residents came for the first time and were eager to witness the dogs and balloons. Others had experienced the weekend-long festival before and kind of knew what to expect.

"I'm a photographer," Steve White, of Summerdale, said. "I usually come to take photos, but now I'm just here to enjoy it."

Carol Cline, of Foley, said she saw balloon festivals in New Mexico and knew it would be a fun event. However, Thurman Storie, of Foley, enjoyed his first balloon festival.

"This is amazing," he said.

Jennifer Killingsworth, of Jasper Ala., said she and her family "like being down here."

"We like watching the balloons, too," she said.

Others liked watching the dogs and their skilled antics.

"We're mostly excited about the family-friendly atmosphere," Catherine Brown, of New Orleans, said. "And the canines."

The pilots competed in different games throughout the festival. Pilots launched their balloons from around three miles from the festival area and tried to drop a beanbag onto a large "X" in the lake, and they attempted to drop a tennis ball from their balloons into a kayak without bouncing in or out.

"No one hit a ball into the boat, " Lori Crace, South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce director of events, said, but noted Bob Polaski, flying "Ski Lift," came in first place in getting the beanbag closest to the "X" and David Miller, flying "Skybird," came in second place.

Balloon damaged during flight

One of the 47 balloons participating in the festival caught fire Saturday morning in a field behind Grace Baptist Church in Summerdale.

The Summerdale Police Department and Summerdale Fire Department responded to the incident, which occurred around 8:15 a.m. during the scheduled Saturday morning flight when one of the balloons got caught in a bush.

"The actual investigation is still ongoing," Tommy Rachel, festival balloonmeister, said, noting a rope got caught in a bush during the landing and the bush caught fire but he is unsure which rope got caught.

"It was not the balloon that caught on fire. It was the bushes that got caught on fire and burned the basket and envelope…It was not like the balloon was just flying in the air and had a defect. They landed and caught the bushes on fire and that subsequently caught the balloon on fire."

Rachel said the basket and the bottom of the envelope were damaged and probably will not be used again.

The incident report provided by the Summerdale PD states the pilot and passengers did not appear to have injuries from the crash. The report did not state which balloon was damaged.

"It was not a big horrific thing that happened," Rachel said, noting the pilot got the passengers to safety.