Have you been attending the Hudson Hot Air Affair for the past 30+ years? There’s always something new to enjoy at the annual hot air balloon rally and community festival coming Friday through Sunday, Feb. 7-9. WESTconsin Credit Union has returned for their 16th year of Corporate Sponsorship.

Hudson businesses are offering a new EAT•SHOP•PLAY promotion starting on Friday, Feb. 7. Ten restaurants and bars will bring back the popular Hot Beverage Crawl and more than 30 businesses will have special events, winter sales and a scavenger hunt. The hunt winner gets the EAT•SHOP•STAY grand prize of an overnight stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites plus $150 in Hudson Chamber Bucks for shopping, dining and beverages.

Hudson businessperson Angel Duratti, co-owner of Angel’s Pet World, will be the Grand Marshal of the popular Friday night Torchlight Parade. The downtown Hudson pet store has hosted Hot Air Affair special events since 2004.

The biggest “What’s New” news is the River Crest School location change. Hot Air Affair had been held at E.P. Rock School since its beginning back in 1990 but the school is under construction this year and the event needed to move south to the 535 County Road F location. The only guest parking will be handicapped slots, and all guests MUST take a free shuttle bus to the school. Shuttle stops from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. are Hudson High School, Hudson United Methodist Church, Faith Community Church and Plaza 94 Shopping Center. The free shuttles are underwritten by Hudson Ford, Post American Eatery, Lewis Heating & Air, RJ’s Meats, Royal Credit Union and Diamond Stone Oriental Medicine.

In addition to the popular Marketplace and Craft Fair, the River Crest School will be the site of special events in conjunction with this year’s Hot Air Affair theme of “Staying Alive in 2025.” Lakeview EMS will be joined by Regions EMS offering information on CPR and other first aid and emergency procedures. Their special focus is talking to children about what they can and should do in emergency situations.

The mugs are back! The popular thermal travel mugs have been on hiatus since 2021 but will be for sale again this year, compliments of Kwik Trip. The first 200 mugs sold will contain a coupon for a free refill of Karuba Coffee, cappuccino or hot chocolate at any Kwik Trip Store.

Also at the school, a Geocaching Community Celebration will be from 9-11 a.m. New caches have been placed in the area in celebration of the annual winter event.

More than 30 pilots from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, Illinois, Kentucky and Kansas will lift off when Mother Nature lets them on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The popular Moon Glow/Field of Fire will be at River Crest School from 6:15-7:15 p.m.

Hot Air Affair has entered the digital age for anyone wanting to enjoy the Glow but not ride the shuttle to the school to watch. The Hot Air Affair is teaming up with River Channel television to live stream the Moon Glow on Saturday evening. Watch Parties will be held at Big Guys BBQ & Roadhouse, Dick’s Bar & Grill, Lucky Guys Distillery, Pedro’s Pizza Lounge, The Empourium and Ziggy’s Live Music, Bar & Restaurant. All locations invite visitors to enjoy the show from 6:15-7:15 p.m. while staying warm and feasting on Hudson’s culinary specialties.

More details on these and other Hot Air Affair highlights can be found at HudsonHotAirAffair.com or check the event’s Facebook posts.