Experience the Magic at the Hot Air Affair

Posted 1/17/23

Hudson Hot Air Affair is just a couple weeks away and things are shaping up for another amazing year for this popular balloon rally and winter festival. The weekend of Feb. 3-5 is packed full of hot air balloons and events, all with a theme of “Experience the Magic.”

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Experience the Magic at the Hot Air Affair

Posted

Hudson Hot Air Affair is just a couple weeks away and things are shaping up for another amazing year for this popular balloon rally and winter festival. The weekend of Feb. 3-5 is packed full of hot air balloons and events, all with a theme of “Experience the Magic.”

This annual event is truly a community effort. It is organized by an all-volunteers committee with community organizations partners, and supported by local business sponsors, with WESTconsin Credit Union as the corporate sponsor.

A pre-event you don’t want to miss is the Taste of Hot Air Affair 5:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at the White Eagle Golf Club. This fundraiser is organized by the Hudson Lions Club. Enjoy spirits, wine, beer tastings, along with hot appetizers, cheese and sweets. There will be live music by Boondoggle, a silent auction and wine pull fundraiser and an “Experience the Magic” photo booth. New this year is a VIP session, starting an hour early at 5:30 p.m. with exclusive auction items and swag gifts. Tickets are available online at the Lions Club’s Square Site or may be purchased at WESTconsin Credit Union in Hudson.

Over 30 hot air balloons are scheduled to participating in morning launches on Saturday and Sunday Feb. 4 and 5, at 7:35 a.m. With cooperation from Mother Nature, sectators can expect to see a launch field full of colorful hot air balloons inflate, lift off and fly over Hudson. Should the Saturday morning flight be cancelled there is also a 3 p.m. launch planned. The popular Moon Glow/Field of Fire is at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Hudson United Methodist Church will be offering shuttle service during the Moon Glow.

The latest updates on flight conditions will be available at HudsonHotAirAffair.com and on Facebook. Please remember all flights are weather dependent, the balloons are not able to fly in windy or inclement conditions.

While everyone wants the balloons to fly, the weather doesn’t always cooperate, so the HHAA Committee, with the help of several community organizations, offers a variety of activities and events during the weekend. The Friday evening Tourchlight Parade at 7 p.m. is an event highlight, other great activities include Saturday’s the Mason’s pancake breakfast, a food drive for the Hudson Food Cupboard, the marketplace and craft sale, the Lions Club’s bean bag tournament, Octagon House Museum open house, the Rotary’s St. Croix River Dunk, the Smoosh Board competition, a prize drop fundraiser for the library, the Booster’s bingo and a new Moonlight Cabaret at the Real Magic House. Get your tickets for the Cabaret now, before they sell out.

The magic continues with a Sunday Funday! After the balloon launch, there is an “Experience the Magic” breakfast, a Fat bike race and a free kids’ ice fishing contest on Perch Lake, with equipment, mentors and gifts for all the kids.

Find details about all the events, the balloon, the sponsors and more at HudsonHotAirAffair.com or visit us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest announcements and details.

Submitted by Hudson Hot Air Affair Committee

Hudson Hot Air Affair, Experience the Magic, Hudson, Wisconsin