FOLEY, Ala. — Tommy Rachel has seen more than his share of proposals.

“I had a young man from the Air Force propose on my balloon this morning,” said Rachel. He explained that the prospective bridegroom is stationed in Germany and had to take several flights with tight connections to arrive on Rachel’s Magnolia Springs doorstep “at 6 this morning.”

For the record, the young lady said “yes.”

Rachel is the “balloonmeister” or head balloonist for the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, presented by the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. That’s as it should be. After all, the festival was his idea.

“I was at a Chamber (South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce) meeting and they wanted to come up with a signature event. It’s hard to pick a festival; there are so many in Alabama. I piped up and recommended at balloon festival.”

The idea was adopted and Rachel, who has been involved with hot-air balloons for 23 years, nine as a commercial pilot, has run the ballooning end of the festival ever since.

This year’s festival will be held June 17-19 on U.S. Highway 98 in Foley.

The balloons can be seen early in the morning, around 6 a.m., when the balloon pilots compete in the “Bean Bag Toss.” Pilots launch their craft Saturday and Sunday mornings from one-and-a-half to three miles away and toss a beanbag onto a large “X” on the festival grounds.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, there is a “ball drop” where pilots drop a tennis ball from the basket of the balloon into a child’s wading pool. The ball must not bounce out. The winner of this competition wins considerable bragging rights and $1,000. Festival organizers say the balloons should be over the target around 7:30 p.m.

There will also be “balloon glows” 7-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. This is where, Rachel says, “About half the pilots (49 balloons are scheduled to be part of the festival) are on a static (not flying) display and other balloons will fly in.”

The flame from a balloon’s powerful propane burner lights up the craft, creating an otherworldly sight.

If you are getting the idea that coming to the festival early or late is a good idea, you are right. Hot-air balloons can’t fly safely during the day — the air is just too turbulent. All balloon events are weather-dependent and the safety of the pilots, crew and craft is paramount.

But, there is plenty going on at the festival during the day.

According to the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature musical entertainment througout the event, including a talent competition at a nearby retail complex.

The Gulf Coast Balloon Festival’s “Rising Stars” talent competition will take place at Tanger Outlet Center in Foley at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 17 for the junior (under 16) division; and June 18, at 10 a.m., for adults.

The contest is for vocalists only, and there is a $200 first prize, $100 second prize and a $50 third prize in both divisions.

The winners will be invited to perform onstage at the festival prior to the headliner act on June 18.

The entry fee is $25 per act, and pre-registration is required. Call 251-943-3291 for more information about the competition.

Saturday evening, June 18, will close with Almost McGraw, the country’s top Tim McGraw tribute show, on the festival grounds.

Returning entertainment will include trainer Lawrence Frederick and the Disc-Connected K9s Frisbee Dog Team. The group of shelter dogs have been trained to catch flying discs and do other tricks.

Show times are Friday, June 18, at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Saturday, June 19, at 7:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Sunday, June 20, at 7:30 a.m.

Arts and crafts booths, with fine art to jewelry, will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The children’s village includes inflatable jumpers and other special entertainment just for kids, and will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Also on the menu is much food, including seafood, barbecue, wings, ice cream and even fried pickles.

Admission to the festival is free. Parking onsite is $5, organizers point out that BRATS shuttles will be running from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with stops at Heritage Park, Foley Elementary School and the Tanger Outlet Center. The rides to and from the festival site are free of charge.

For more information about the festival, visit www.www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com.