Title
A Resolution Authorizing City of Foley Forces to Assist The South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce with the 2026 Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival
Summary
Description of Topic: (who, what, where, when, why and how much)
The South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 22nd Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival at OWA (Foley Holdings LLC), located at
1501 South OWA Blvd., Foley, Alabama 36535. The three day event is planned for Thursday, April 30, 2026 Friday, May 1st and Saturday, May 2, 2026. Setup will begin
on Friday, April 24, 2026.
Body
WHEREAS, the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 22nd Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival at OWA in Foley, Alabama, and
WHEREAS, this three day event is planned for Thursday, April 30, 2026 Friday, May 1st and Saturday, May 2, 2026. Setup will begin on Friday, April 24, 2026, and
WHEREAS, the Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival provides great national recognition to our city, county, and state, and
WHEREAS, this Festival draws tens of thousands of people annually to our community, contributing to the economic vitality of our city’s businesses and the community at whole, and
WHEREAS, the city appreciates the efforts of the South Baldwin Chamber, other sponsors supporting the festival, businesses, and volunteers, all of which help to make this annual event such a success, and
WHEREAS, the City of Foley supports The South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce's Hot Air Balloon Festival annually via a performance contract in the amount of $75,000, and
WHEREAS, the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce is requesting the City to provide the following specific services:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FOLEY, ALABAMA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: Authorizes the City of Foley to provide municipal services during normal business hours in support of the 2026 Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival, including the pickup and return of barricades from the Cities of Daphne, Fairhope, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach if needed; placement and removal of barricades within the festival footprint including North OWA Boulevard and County Road 20; pickup and maintenance of digital message boards; assistance with hanging banners in the festival field; and placement of directional road signs, shuttle parking banners, and event advertisement signs prior to the event.
SECTION 2: Authorizes municipal services requiring overtime in support of the event, including sanitation services on-site utilizing two (2) sanitation trucks and thirteen (13) personnel on Thursday, April 30, 2026 and Friday, May 1, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and on Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., including placement and servicing of trash receptacles, trash removal access via barricaded service roads, and adjustment of barricades as necessary to maintain public safety in parking areas.
SECTION 3: Approves the use of City-owned property and facilities in support of the event, including use of the Foley Event Center for pilot check-in on Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday, May 1, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; parking for pilots, volunteers, and guests at the Foley Event Center and Foley Soccer Fields; and use of three (3) row bleachers for the Disc-Connected K9 Dog Show.
SECTION 4: Authorizes assistance from the Foley Police Department and Foley Fire Department in accordance with their usual duties for special events and approves permission for the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce to sell and serve alcohol within designated areas on OWA property on April 30, May 1, and May 2, 2026, subject to all applicable laws, ordinances, permits, and Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board requirements.
SECTION 5: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption as required by law.