There is nothing better than a beautiful spring weekend spent along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, and the 21st Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is the perfect excuse to book a trip.

From May 1st to 3rd, attendees can enjoy a range of activities and see more than 50 hot air balloons from across the country at OWA Parks & Resort. Drawing inspiration from the nearby Gulf, the 520-acre property, owned and operated by the Poarch Creek Indians, is derived from a Creek word for big water.

The Coastal Alabama park is home to the largest indoor water park in the region and more than twenty themed rides, and features a 30,000 square-foot wave pool. Downtown OWA, which is modeled after small towns across the South, offers an impressive range of places to shop and dine.

“In addition to the expansive amenities of OWA, including its 23-ride amusement park, indoor water park and outdoor wave pool, as well as a great selection of restaurants and retail shopping, there will be tons of entertainment during this action filled weekend. Guests can enjoy arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, as well as live entertainment at the OWA Amphitheater throughout the festival,” OWA shares.

The festival opens to the public on Friday, May 2nd at 3:00 p.m. Attendees can expect live music, hot air balloon displays, tethered balloon rides, and balloon glow. This year, festival goers will also be able to meet guests from Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo at the Meet and Greet tent.

On Saturday, May 3rd, the festival begins at 10:00 a.m. and will offer a day of excitement with live music, lawn games, displays, and more. Attendees can speak with hot air balloon pilots at the Meet and Greet tent at 2:30 p.m. and the festival will conclude with live entertainment by Tip Tops. Admission is free, and while weather-permitting, hot air balloon flights will take place at sunrise or within an hour of sunset when winds are most predictable.