FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: info@northalabama.org
Creating a Sky Full of Memories in Decatur
Annual Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic returns to Point Mallard Park May 29-30
Decatur, Ala. – More than 50 big beautiful hot-air balloons will fill the sky above Decatur, Ala., the last weekend in May during the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic. The colorful festival, set for May 29-30, 2021, at Point Mallard Park, features hot air balloons, live music, a balloon glow, motorcycles, antique cars and tractors, arts and crafts, fireworks, 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 many families for more than 40 years. The celebration begins bright and early Saturday, May 29, at 6:15 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.
Some of the activities to be held throughout the day on Saturday include an auto expo from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. behind the Ice Complex and the popular Decatur Art Guild arts and crafts show from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the pavilion. The Sons of Liberty Bike Show starts with registration from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. next to T.C. Almon Recreation Center. 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 at 11 a.m., there will be tractor games and a pedal tractor park opens for kids 6 years old and under. An afternoon hot-air balloon flight is set for 5:15 p.m. and at 8:15 p.m., the Balloon Glow is a must-see as towering balloons of all colors light up Point Mallard Park.
Another round of friendly competition between the hot-air balloon pilots is scheduled for Sunday, May 30, with the Lynn Layton Chevrolet Key Grab. Balloons should start flying into the Jubilee field starting about 7 a.m. The Decatur Art Guild arts and crafts show reopens from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering festivalgoers plenty of time to shop for handmade items in between the balloon activities. The Sons of Liberty Bike Show will repeat Sunday, with registration from 7:30 until 10:00 a.m. Another fun flight is set to launch about 6:30 p.m.
Bands will perform on stage both Saturday and Sunday nights and the two-day event concludes with the Alabama Jubilee Fireworks Spectacular at 9:30 p.m.
Admission to the Alabama Jubilee is free. All events are dependent on weather. Balloons cannot fly in brisk winds or with the threat of thunderstorms. During the Alabama Jubilee, Point Mallard Park is a “No-Drone Zone” according to FAA regulations. 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 activities take place inside Point Mallard Park, a 750-acre municipal park providing year-round recreation facilities in Decatur, Ala. Those attending are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.
For more information and a schedule of events, please visit www.alabamajubilee.net.
About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @VisitNorthAL and like us at www.facebook.com/VisitNorthAL.
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