DECATUR-One of North Alabama’s most anticipated Memorial Day weekend traditions returns this weekend rain or shine as the Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic takes flight at Point Mallard Park in Decatur.
Featuring more than 50 colorful hot air balloons, live entertainment, fireworks, food vendors, family activities, and one of the Southeast’s largest craft shows, the Alabama Jubilee offers a full weekend of fun for visitors of all ages.
Rain and scattered showers are forecasted throughout the weekend, so guests are encouraged to bring an umbrella or poncho just in case. The overall event is rain or shine, but individual weather-dependent activities may be adjusted around conditions at that time. Due to the continuously changing and spotty nature of spring weather, weather decisions are only made shortly prior to each activity. Very often, just a short delay is all that’s needed this time of year.
Guests can also enjoy the Decatur Arts Guild Craft Show, which is mostly indoors this year and features more than 130 vendors. On the balloon field, attendees will find more than 40 food and merchandise vendors alongside the massive balloon displays and entertainment lineup.
Saturday, May 23 Schedule
- 6:30 a.m. — Hound & Hare Balloon Race
- 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. — Decatur Arts Guild Craft Show
- 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. — Southland Flywheelers Tractor Show
- 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Point Mallard Auto Expo
- 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Chess Club Demonstration
- 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Animal Adoption Event
- 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Junior Fire Academy Display
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. — James Spann Meet & Greet
- 5:00 p.m. — Papa Pawl & The Voodoo Kings
- 5:30 p.m. — Balloon Fun Flight
- 6:15 p.m. — Jed Eye with the Rocket City Starlets
- 8:15 p.m. — Balloon Display & Glow
Sunday, May 24 Schedule
- 6:30 a.m. — Lynn Layton Chevrolet Key Grab Balloon Race
- 7:00 a.m. — Balloons Arrive on Field
- 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Chess Club Demonstration
- 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Touch-A-Truck Event & Balloon Walk-Through
- 5:30 p.m. — Balloon Fun Flight
- 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. — Live Music with Austin Bohannon
- 6:30 p.m. — Balloon Display
- 9:30 p.m. — Thompson CAT Fireworks Spectacular
The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic is free to attend and continues to be one of the region’s signature Memorial Day weekend traditions, drawing visitors from across the Southeast to experience the sights and excitement of hot air balloons soaring over Decatur.
Media Release/Emma Martin, Communications Director/Decatur Morgan County Tourism, Inc.
