DECATUR — More than 50 big beautiful hot-air balloons will fill the sky above Decatur next month in the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic.
The must-see event of North Alabama is set for Memorial Day weekend, May 27-28 at Point Mallard Park. It features hot air balloons, live music, a balloon glow, antique cars and tractors, motorcycles, arts and crafts, fireworks and other family fun with activities on the ground and in the air.
The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic has become a Memorial Day weekend tradition for local families and visitors for more than 40 years. The celebration begins bright and early May 27 at 6:30 a.m., with the hound and hare balloon race: one balloon flies off the Jubilee field and the others try to follow to see which pilot can get closest to a target put down by the hare balloon.
Additional activities on Saturday include an antique and classic auto expo from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind the Ice Complex. The Southland Flywheelers will host an antique tractor show, featuring some of the best restored and maintained tractors in the Southeast, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. A tractor parade follows at 10 a.m., and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be tractor games and a pedal tractor park opens for kids 6 years old and under.
In the evening, from 5:15 to 7:15, some balloons will lift off for an evening flight and festivalgoers can catch a free tethered ride with some of the ones remaining on the field, and at 8:15, the Balloon Glow is a must-see as towering balloons of all colors light up Point Mallard Park.
Also Saturday, the popular Decatur Art Guild arts and crafts show 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Bikers for Charity motorcycle show will take place Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. next to T.C. Almon Recreation Center.
Another round of friendly competition between the hot-air balloon pilots is scheduled May 28 with the Lynn Layton Chevrolet Key Grab. Balloons should start flying into the Jubilee field starting about 7 a.m. Another fun flight is set to launch and free tethered rides will be available again starting at 5:15 p.m. Bands will perform on stage both evenings and the two-day event concludes with fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
There is no charge for admission to the Alabama Jubilee. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged. For safety reasons, pets are strongly discouraged due to the loud noise caused by the balloons and the large number of people present.
All balloon activities are weather permitting. Balloons do not fly, tether or glow in the rain or if wind on the ground is stronger than about 8 mph or if there are thunderstorms nearby. During the Alabama Jubilee, Point Mallard Park is a “No-Drone Zone,” according to FAA regulations.
For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.alabamajubilee.net.
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