HUDSON – The 37th annual Hudson Hot Air Affair on Feb. 6-8 is a family friendly winter festival and hot air balloon rally. This year we have a Star Wars theme of “Sky Walkers Return to Rock.” The hot air balloons are the highlight of the event, offering a colorful show with mass ascension flights of hot air balloons. We are returning to our long-time venue of EP Rock School, at 340 13th St. S., as our balloon launch field location with a warmup station, concessions and a craft fair inside the school.

The first balloon launch is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7 at sunrise (7:35 a.m.) There is also 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 7:35 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 8. (All flights and inflations are weather permitting.) Check out hudsonhotairaffair.com to learn about the pilots and balloons who will be attending this year’s rally.

Hudson Hot Air Affair kicks off on Friday night, Feb. 6, 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 “Sky Walkers Return to Rock” themed parade units.  

In appreciation of WESTconsin Credit Union’s 17+ years as our corporate sponsor, Jim Wookey, current WESTconsin CEO, will be recognized as the Grand Marshal in the Torchlight Parade. 

Immediately following the parade, there will be 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 Festival Foods) on Saturday evening from 6:15-7:15 p.m. at EP Rock 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 and plan for heavy traffic for this popular event.

Another crowd favorite is the annual Smoosh Board Competition, starting at 1 p.m. Saturday on the EP Rock school grounds. This is the Hot Air Affair’s wackiest winter sport with four people on the same smoosh boards. Call 715-544-7544 to register your team now.

Sunday, Feb. 8 starts with a sunrise Balloon Launch at EP Rock School. Please remember to dress warmly as the school will not be open on Sunday. There is a Sunday Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon at Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse, 1237 Hwy. 35 N. The annual Kids Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Perch Lake is from 1-3 p.m. with mentors, equipment and giveaways for the kids.

Hot Air Affair brochures, with details on all the events and more, are available at local businesses. Visit hudsonhotairaffair.com for event schedule and flight decisions or Facebook to get the latest news.

Submitted by Hot Air Affair Committee