Bask In The Beautiful Hudson Hot Air Affair Balloon Festival

Bask In The Beautiful Hudson Hot Air Affair Balloon Festival

 

Sometimes waking up super early on the weekend sucks. Especially in February in freezing Northwestern Wisconsin when you need to dress in layers of warm winter clothing. Then again, seeing majestic 7-story tall hot air balloons launching at sunrise makes everything ok in the world. It’s worth it for a visit to the Midwest’s largest winter hot air balloon festival. Oh yeah, there’s also smoosh boarding, kazoo marching bands, stunt kite flying, and mystery hot dish tasting events among a fun-filled weekend loaded with spine-tingling activities.    

I love hot air balloons. My love began from attending hot air balloon festivals as a kid. Seeing their bright, colorful designs still excites me whenever I see one. I admired their colors and designs back then, but modern colors and designs now exceed my imagination from those days as a kid. I decided then and there to own a balloon and become a pilot. Yep. That was my dream.

Hearing their burners scream as their flame ignites and shoots upward still gets my adrenaline pumping every time. Seeing huge envelopes (the proper term for the balloon part) fill up with hot air, expand, then quietly lift off the ground still amazes me. 

I love watching hot air balloon crews unpack and then spread out the envelope before the sun appears on the horizon. I’ll wake up early any day to watch.

 

Balloon Watching At The Hudson Hot Air Affair

Nothing compares to watching multitudes of hot air balloons expand then take off together at the Hudson Hot Air Affair. It’s worth the effort to arrive early in the morning because you could miss all the action. Here, get up close by walking through the field amongst balloons preparing to fly and even talk to their pilots. Expect to be joined by hundreds of onlookers braving the cold before daybreak too.  

 

If you don’t want to watch the early setup, then enjoy the warmth inside the school until the take-off announcement. Cruise through the indoor marketplace and craft fair while warming up with hot chocolate and snacks. Watch out for a mad rush once the announcement proclaims the pilots are ready! 

 

 

The weather needs to be just right otherwise expect a last-minute cancelation. Ideal flight weather has a slight wind of 4-6 mph with 1-3 miles visibility. Your best chance to see hot air balloons take off is in the mornings since afternoon weather is less reliable. However, if a morning flight is canceled then expect a full afternoon flight given that most pilots choose to fly only once a day.      

After sunset a Moonglow or Field of Fire takes place. Moonglow occurs with a low wind speed. See glowing balloons light up the sky with a magnificent display of color and flames. Otherwise, Field of Fire happens where just gondolas shoot flames into the dark sky without their envelopes.

Each year over 30 vibrantly colored hot air balloons participate in the Hudson Hot Air Affair. The number of participants varies each year although the most were 56. 

 

Fun Balloons That Have Participated At Hudson Hot Air Affair

Many of the same pilots attend each year with their balloons and crew. Most come from the Upper Midwest but pilots come from all over the nation like Texas, California, and Pennsylvania.  

Here’s a sample of hot air balloons that have flown here.

• Peg Leg Pete – a giant 85’ tall pirate parrot complete with an eye patch, earring, and a peg leg

• Rubber Ducky – a huge balloon shaped like a rubber duck

• Fred G. Monster – a green monster head

• Bubbles

• Candy Crush

• Madame Blueberry

• Flo

• Freedom Flight V

• Late Night Discussions

• Northern Lights

• Peacock

• Texas Bluebonnet

• Big Daddy

 

Events At Hudson Hot Air Affair

 

Certainly don’t expect a few ho-hum ordinary events for the weekend. Even though you’re tired from waking up so early, these events promise to give you a boost like a strong cup of joe. After all, Wisconsin people have a reputation for being a little quirky.

Check out these activities which promise to create a chuckle and raise your heartbeat with excitement.

To begin with, pick your favorite crazy-dressed smoosh boarding team and cheer them on to victory. Each smoosh boarding team consists of four people attached to one pair of cross-country skis. Pay special attention to how each person attaches themselves to the skis. Some simply wrap duct tape around their boots and skis. On the other hand, participants have been known to bolt boots to skis. Next, each smoosh boarding team needs to complete a figure 8 course in unison. The team with the best time wins.  

In case a snow volleyball tournament isn’t your thing, surely you’ll appreciate the marching kazoo bands. Get a jump on Spring by flying kites with the Minnesota Kite Society, or watch their stunt flying members on Saturday afternoon.  

Check out these events too.

• Fat tire bike race

• Hammerschlagen

• Mystery hot dish tasting

• Ice carving

• Kids ice fishing derby

• 5k fun run

• Bingo fundraiser

• Pancake breakfast

• Geocaching

• Birdwatching on the St Croix River

• Cornhole

• Karaoke

• Dances

• Marketplace and craft fair

• Martial arts

• Chili cook-off

• Night parade

• Fireworks

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Important Facts To Know About Hudson Hot Air Affair

Hudson, Wisconsin lies next to the beautiful St. Croix River, which also defines the border with Minnesota.

Hudson is only about thirty minutes from Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The Hudson Hot Air Affair is held the first weekend in February each year

 

Parking

Parking during the day isn’t a problem but at night the school can fill up fast. You may need to park on neighborhood streets at night for the Moon Glow. Handicapped parking is available at the school’s main parking lot off of Frear Street.

 

Prohibited

Alcohol, smoking, dogs (except service), and drones are not allowed

 

Cost

The Hudson Hot Air Affair does not charge an admission fee

 

Hot Air Balloon Rides

Rides are not available 

 

Location

E.P. Rock Elementary School in Hudson, Wisconsin 

 

Final Thoughts

 

You’ll have a fantastic time at the Hudson Hot Air Affair. Waking up early and dressing in Winter layers seems like a small price to pay for an outstanding once-a-year weekend. You’ll take more photos than you thought and create memories to share for the rest of your life. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.   

 

Thanks for reading Bask In The Beautiful Hudson Hot Air Affair Balloon Festival.  Feel free to share with others!

Tom and Kristi