Hudson Hot Air Affair : : February 3, 4 & 5, 2023

Hudson Hot Air Affair invites you to EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC while watching the airborne kaleidoscope of hot air balloons. More than 30 balloonists from five states will travel to Hudson this weekend, February 3-5, 2023, to share the spectacle and excitement of the sport of hot air ballooning.

Much of Hot Air Affair will happen outdoors and we are encouraging everyone to bundle up, head outside to the launch field at E.P. Rock School, 340 13th Street, Hudson WI, (or the parks and open spaces) and look up for the balloons on Saturday and Sunday.

In additions to the hot air balloons, there are all kinds of other activities planned for people to enjoy this weekend. Check out our 2023 Schedule for a complete list of Hot Air Affair activities and event details.

Remember all balloon flights and inflations are weather dependent.  (You can learn more about what kind of weather is needed for a hot air balloon flight at: https://hudsonhotairaffair.com/weather-to-fly)

Please see the Real-Time Flight Information below for the latest updates on balloon flight decisions. This information will be posted as soon as we know the weather conditions at the launch field and whether it is safe for the balloons to launch. (Most times this information is not available until launch time.)

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You can connect with Hudson Hot Air Affair here on our website, on Facebook, on Instagram and on Twitter.

2023 Real-Time Flight Information

Sunday Morning Flight Update: Some of the pilots are at EP Rock School for a meet and greet, however, they will not be able to inflate this morning.

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Sunday Morning Flight Update: In the interest of flight safety, it is necessary that we cancel this morning’s balloon launch because of upper wind, a cold front and limited visibility. The Hudson Hot Air Affair invites you to join the pilots at EP Rock School for a meet and greet. We are hopeful that some of the pilots will be able to inflate (but they will not be able to leave the ground).

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The Hudson Hot Air Affair invites you to join us at 6:30pm at EP Rock School for the MOON GLOW or FIELD OF FIRE (or a COMBINATION).  

We ask for your cooperation at the launchfield – No alcohol, No smoking No Drones and only service animals.

The next Flight Update will be on Sunday around 7:00am.

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Saturday 3:00pm Flight Update: The Hudson Hot Air Affair is proud to announce that the balloon launch will take place at 3:00pm at EP Rock School. This launch is at individual pilot discretion. Several of the pilots have indicate that they will be going up.

Dress warm and bring your camera. 

We ask for your cooperation at the launchfield – No alcohol, No smoking No Drones and only service animals, please.

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Check back around 2:30pm for the next flight update. You can also check for flight info on HHAA Facebook or Instagram.

The Saturday morning: Based on prevailing weather conditions, there will not be a flight this morning, However, there are some balloons who will be able to inflate on the field (they will not be lifting off the ground).  The Hudson Hot Air Affair invites you to join the pilots at EP Rock School for a meet and greet.

(Flight decisions will be posted as soon as they become available.) 

Scheduled Hot Air Balloon Launches:

Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 7:35 am: BALLOON LAUNCH, 30+ hot air balloons in mass ascension flight at E.P. Rock school grounds, 340 13th Street South, Hudson, WI.

Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 3 pm: BALLOON LAUNCH at E.P. Rock school grounds, 340 13th Street South, Hudson, WI.  This is an optional flight if morning flight is launched, or a mass ascension if the morning flight is canceled.

Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 7:35 am: BALLOON LAUNCH, 30+ hot air balloons in mass ascension flight at E.P. Rock school grounds, 340 13th Street South, Hudson, WI.

All balloon inflations and flights are weather dependent.
(You can learn more about what kind of weather is needed for a hot air balloon flight at: https://hudsonhotairaffair.com/weather-to-fly)

Launch Field Notice:

RE/MAX Inflate

We ask for your cooperation at the launch field • No Alcohol • No Smoking • No Drones, and • Only Service Animals, Please.

 

Hot Air Balloon Flight Conditions:

Ideal Flight Conditions:

  • Light winds less than 6 mph
  • Good visibility
  • Sunshine or if cloudy, high cloud ceilings

Unfavorable Flight Conditions:

  • Too strong wind, over 8 mph OR no wind at all
  • Poor visibility or low cloud ceilings
  • Snow or rain

Hot air balloons depend on different weather factors, including wind speeds, visibility, temperature. Lean more >

Check the FAQs page for more information about hot air balloons and Hudson Hot Air Affair.

How to Get There

Directions to EP Rock School (Launch Field) at 340 13th Street South, Hudson, Wisconsin

From MN: I-94 East, take Exit 1 North towards downtown. At stoplight take a right (East) onto Coulee Road. At the stoplight take a left (North) onto 11th Street. Right (East) onto Summer Street to EP Rock School.

From Stillwater: Take St. Croix River crossing bridge to Wisconsin. Take Hwy 35 South to Hudson. Turn left (East) onto Coulee Road. At the stoplight take a left (North) onto 11th Street. Right (East) onto Summer Street to EP Rock School.

From WI: I-94 West, take Exit 2 and go North. Turn left (West) onto the frontage road (Coulee Road). At the stoplight take a left (North) onto 11th Street. Right (East) onto Summer Street to EP Rock School.

Launch Field (EP Rock School) Regulations:
No Alcohol
No Smoking
No Drones
Only Service Animals Please

Thank you for your cooperation.

Hudson Hot Air Affair Partner Balloon Companies & Sponsors

There are no hot air balloon rides sold during Hot Air Affair!

Balloon Rides with Partner Balloon Companies

Hudson Hot Air Affair is a spectator event with balloons sponsored by area businesses. No hot air balloon rides are sold during the event.

If you are interested in purchasing a balloon ride, Hot Air Affair partner balloon companies offer rides year-round (weather permitting).

Aamodt’s Hot Air Balloon Rides http://www.aamodtsballoons.com/

Stillwater Balloons https://stillwaterballoons.com/

Lesmeister Balloon Company https://www.facebook.com/Lesmeister-Balloon-Company-1492577431034277/

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Hudson Hot Air Affair 2023 Sponsorships are Full

Hudson Hot Air Affair COVID-19 Notice:

The Hudson Hot Air Affair committee is working to keep the health and safety of the community in mind. We continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic we ask everyone to follow current CDC, state and local COVID safety guidelines.

COVID NOTICE: Current St. Croix County COVID transmission level is LOW. The county recommends: staying current on vaccines, get tested if you have symptoms and wearing a mask is optional.