Hudson Hot Air Affair kicks off on Friday night, Feb. 2, with the Hot Air Affair Torchlight Parade at 7 p.m. The parade starts at the Wells Fargo parking lot and travels down Second Street, turning down Walnut Street and ends at the Hudson Arch. This year’s grand marshal is long time Hot Air Affair volunteer Mary Martin. It may be short, but this parade is packed full of fun. With blasts of flames from the balloon units to help warm the crowd, spectators will see marching kazoo bands and “Rockin’ with the Coldies” themed parade units. Immediately following the parade there is a fireworks display at Lakefront Park sponsored by Andersen Corporation.

The 35th annual Hot Air Affair, a family friendly winter festival and hot air balloon rally, is a weekend packed full of activities. WESTconsin Credit Union returns as the corporate sponsor. 

The hot air balloons are the highlight of the event, offering a colorful show with mass ascension flights of hot air balloons (weather permitting). All the launches are at E.P. Rock school grounds at 340 13th St. S., in Hudson. The first balloon launch is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 3 at sunrise (7:35 a.m.) There is an afternoon launch at 3 p.m. which is an optional flight if the morning flight has launched. The final launch is set for 7:35 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 4.

One of the most spectacular sights at Hot Air Affair is the Moon Glow on Saturday evening from 6:30-7 p.m. at E.P. Rock school grounds. The balloon envelopes are inflated and glow like colorful lanterns in the night (weather permitting). In the event of windy weather, this event becomes a Field of Fire as the pilots use their burners to light the sky with flames. 

Another crowd favorite is the annual Smoosh Board Competition, starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday on E.P. Rock school grounds. This is the Hot Air Affair’s wackiest winter sport with four people on the same smoosh boards. Call 651-210-7858 to register your team now.

There are a lot of opportunities to come in out of the cold on Saturday during Hot Air Affair. From 7 a.m. to noon the Masonic Temple will hold its annual Pancake Breakfast at 209 Locust St. The Hot Air Affair Marketplace and Craft Fair is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday with crafts and souvenir selection. Local non-profit groups with hot food and drinks will be available for purchase in the E.P. Rock school cafeteria. The Octagon House Museum at 1004 Third St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an open house on Saturday and Sunday (admission). 

Hot Air Affair also offers opportunities to have fun while you give back to local community organizations with different fundraising events.

The Hudson Rotary will host their annual St. Croix River Dunk on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 1-3 p.m. at Lakefront Park. The Hudson Boosters will hold their annual Bingo Fundraiser on Saturday, from 2-5 p.m. at the Village Inn in North Hudson. Enjoy a fun filled afternoon of bingo and raise money for youth sports programs in Hudson. Hot Air Affair is hosting a Prize Drop Fundraiser for the Hudson Grocery Co-op. Make a donation for a chance to win a cash prize and then watch the prize drop on Saturday at 2 p.m. at E.P. Rock. The Hudson Lions Club is having a Bean Bag Tournament on Saturday at noon at Hop & Barrel Brewing. The competition will be indoors with prizes for the top teams.

Sunday, Feb. 4 starts with a sunrise Balloon launch at E.P. Rock School. There is a “Rockin’ with the Coldies” Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon at Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse, 1237 Hwy. 35 N. The annual Kids Ice Fishing Contest on Perch Lake, from 1-3 p.m., with mentors, equipment and giveaways for the kids.

Hot Air Affair brochures, with details on these events and more, are available at local businesses. Visit HudsonHotAirAffair.com for details and a complete event schedule or Facebook to get the latest news. 

Submitted by Hot Air Affair Committee