The 36th annual Hudson Hot Air Affair on Feb. 7-9 is a family friendly winter festival and hot air balloon rally with a weekend packed full of activities. 

We are honored to have WESTconsin Credit Union returning as our corporate sponsor. This community event could not happen without the generous support of over 100 area sponsors and partners. Hudson Hot Air Affair is organized by an all-volunteer committee. Check out our website if you would like to volunteer at the event.

The hot air balloons are the highlight of the event, offering a colorful show with mass ascension flights of hot air balloons. All launches are at our new location this year at River Crest Elementary School, 535 County Road F, just south of Hudson. The first balloon launch is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8 at sunrise (7:35 a.m.) There is an afternoon launch scheduled for 3 p.m. This is an optional flight if the morning flight has launched. The final launch is set for Sunday, Feb. 9 at 7:35 a.m. (All flights and inflations are weather permitting.)

With the new location, it is necessary to use shuttle buses on Saturday, Feb. 8 to transport guests to the school for the balloon launches. Additionally, the Marketplace and Craft Fair, Smoosh Board Competition, Prize Drop Fundraiser and the Moon Glow/Field of Fire are all moving to the River Crest School grounds and guests will need to take a shuttle bus to attend.

Shuttle bus stops (and parking) are available at four Hudson locations. The shuttle buses will travel back and forth from the pick-up locations to River Crest School about every half hour from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Shuttle details and schedule are available at HudsonHotAirAffair.com/shuttle.

Hudson Hot Air Affair kicks off on Friday night, Feb. 7, with the Hot Air Affair Torchlight Parade at 7 p.m. This parade is packed full of fun with blasts of flames from the balloon units to help warm the crowd and “Staying Alive in 2025” themed parade units. Immediately following the parade, there is a fireworks display at Lakefront Park sponsored by Andersen Corporation.

One of the most spectacular sights at Hot Air Affair is the Moon Glow (sponsored by Skogen’s Festival Foods) on Saturday evening from 6:15-7:15 p.m. at River Crest Elementary School. 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. Please plan to come at least a half hour early to catch one of the free shuttle buses to the school.

Another crowd favorite is the annual Smoosh Board Competition, starting at 1 p.m. Saturday on River Crest school grounds. This is the Hot Air Affair’s wackiest winter sport with four people on the same smoosh boards. Call 651-259-2108 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. at River Crest School on Saturday with crafts and souvenir selection. Local non-profit groups with hot food and drinks will be available for purchase in the school cafeteria. The Octagon House Museum at 1004 Third St. will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for tours on Friday - Sunday (admission). New this year, we are partnering with River Channel for livestreaming of the Moon Glow. There will be watch parties at local establishments for those who prefer to view in indoor comfort. 

Hot Air Affair also offers opportunities to have fun while you give back to local community organizations with different fundraising events on Saturday, Feb. 8. The Hudson Rotary will host their annual St. Croix River Dunk from 1-3 p.m. at Lakferont Park. The Hudson Boosters will hold their annual Bingo Fundraiser on Saturday, from 2-5 p.m. at the Village Inn in North Hudson. Hot Air Affair is hosting a Prize Drop Fundraiser for the St. Croix Valley Food Bank. Make a donation for a chance to win a cash prize and then watch the prize drop at 2 p.m. at the school. The Hudson Lions Club is having a Bean Bag Tournament on Saturday at noon at Hop & Barrel Brewing. 

Sunday, Feb. 9 starts with a sunrise Balloon Launch at River Crest School, 535 County Road F. There will be parking at the school and across the street at Camp St. Croix (on a first come basis). There is a Sunday Breakfast from 9am-noon at Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse, 1237 Hwy. 35 N. The annual Kids Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Perch Lake is from 1-3pm 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