FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: info@northalabama.org
More Than 60 Balloons to Paint the Sky in Decatur
Decatur, Ala. – More than 60 big beautiful hot-air balloons will fill the sky above Decatur, Ala., over the Memorial Day weekend when the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic returns to Point Mallard Park next month. Set for May 27-28, 2017, the colorful festival features hot air balloons, live music, antique cars and tractors, arts and crafts, fireworks and other family fun with activities on the ground and in the air.
The Memorial Day celebration begins bright and early on Saturday, May 27 at 6 a.m. with the Hare and Hound Balloon Race. Saturday’s activities throughout the day include an antique car show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the popular Decatur Art Guild arts and crafts show from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and a special exhibition by the Point Mallard Figure Skating Club in the Ice Complex at 11 a.m.
The Southland Flywheelers will host an antique tractor show from 8 a.m. until about 3 p.m., featuring some of the best restored and maintained tractors in the Southeast, engine demonstrations, a tractor parade, a pedal-tractor pull, and tractor games. An afternoon hot-air balloon flight is set for 5 p.m. and at 8 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 pilots is scheduled for Sunday, May 28, at 6 a.m. with the Lynn Layton Chevrolet Key Grab Race, with the balloons flying into the Jubilee field starting about 7 a.m. The Decatur Art Guild arts and crafts show reopens from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Another fun flight is set to launch around 5 p.m.
For anyone who would like to experience the magic of a balloon ride, free tethered rides are offered Saturday night and Sunday night (weather permitting) from 6:30 pm until about 8 p.m. Live music fills the air both evenings from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. and this year’s event features an exciting lineup of performers including Four on the Floor, Ben Parker Project and Natchez Trace Band. The two-day event concludes with a balloon pilot memorial, followed by the Alabama Jubilee Fireworks Spectacular at 9:30 p.m.
Free parking will be available at the G.E. parking lot at 2328 Point Mallard Drive SE, at the Decatur High School / Ogle Stadium parking lot at 1011 Prospect Drive NE, and in downtown Decatur, mainly across from the Morgan County Courthouse at 302 Lee Street NE (shuttle pickup for this location will be at the Princess Theatre at 112 Second Avenue NE) with shuttle service to Point Mallard Park from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for only $2 per person, each way. Admission to the Alabama Jubilee is free.
Please note all balloon activities are weather permitting and the Alabama Jubilee is a “No-Drone Zone” according to FAA regulations. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged. Because of safety, pets of any sort are strongly discouraged due to the loud noise 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. 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.
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