Hudson Hot Air Affair : : 2026 Balloons at Hot Air Affair

2026 Balloon Launches are scheduled for:

Sat., Feb. 7 at 7:35am: BALLOON LAUNCH, Hot air balloons in mass ascension flight at EP Rock Elementary School, 340 13th St S, Hudson, WI.

Sat., Feb. 7 at 3pm: BALLOON LAUNCH at EP Rock Elementary School, 340 13th St S, Hudson, WI.  This is an optional flight if morning flight launched or a mass ascension if the morning flight was canceled.

Sun., Feb. 8 at 7:35am: BALLOON LAUNCH, Hot air balloons in mass ascension flight at EP Rock Elementary School, 340 13th St S, Hudson, WI.

All balloon inflations and flights are weather dependent.

Concessions, souvenirs and restrooms available on Saturday in EP Rock Elementary School.

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

The latest announcement on weather and flight information will be posted on the home page and Facebook before scheduled balloon launches on Saturday and Sunday.

Balloon Name: Air Buy RV

Pilot: Mike Lesmeister, Rochester, MN

Sponsored by: Hudson Hot Air Affair

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Balloon Name: Becky’s Starship

Pilot: Joel Timblin, Plum City, WI

Sponsored by: Hudson Hot Air Affair

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Balloon Name: Bifrost

Pilot: Taylor Houser, Tea, SD
Co-pilot: Ronald Oppold, Coon Rapids, MN

Sponsored by: Hudson Hot Air Affair

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Bubbles

Balloon Name: Bubbles

Pilot: John Bullock, Wausau, WI

Sponsored by: Minuteman Press

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Cloud NineBalloon Name: Cloud Nine

Pilot: Mark Naber, Big Bend, WI

Sponsored by: Dick’s Bar & Grill

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Balloon Name: Daddy’s Girl

Pilot: Sonja Belgarde, Sun Prairie, WI

Sponsored by: WESTconsin Credit Union

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Fire And FrostBalloon Name: Fire and Frost

Pilot: Ed Chapman, Jordan, MN

Sponsored by: River Valley Converting/Anchor Paper Co.

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FloBalloon Name: Flo

Pilot: Don Dumke, Florence, WI

Sponsored by: First State Bank and Trust

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Balloon Name: Hot Ta Molly

Pilot: Molly Richardson, Brandon, SD

Sponsored by: EyeStyles Optical

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Balloon Name: Jill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

Pilot: Tedd Maxfield, Olathe, KS

Sponsored by: Xcel Energy

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Kay's WindDancer IIBalloon Name: Kay’s WindDancer II

Pilot: Ken Walter, Waukesha, WI

Sponsored by: Hudson Hot Air Affair

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Late Night DiscussionsBalloon Name: Late Nite Discussions

Pilot: John Rucker, Genoa City, WI

Sponsored by: Hudson Ford

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Balloon Name: Loonar Lady

Pilot: John Clemont, Saint Cloud, MN
Co-pilot: Valarie Ritsch, Belle Plaine, MN

Sponsored by: Hudson Hot Air Affair

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Balloon Name: Mischief

Pilot: Jeff Trzebiatowski, Appleton, WI
Co-pilot: Zachary Brandon, Winneconne, WI

Sponsored by: Brettin Orthodontics

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MongolfierBalloon Name: Montgolfier

Pilot: Larry Nickolay, Newport, MN
Co-pilot: Donna Wiederkehr, Minneapolis, MN

Sponsored by: Matt Wiederkehr Legacy

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Navajo BobBalloon Name: Navajo Bob

Pilot: Nick Mackey, Madison, WI
Co-pilot: Bob O’Brien, Waupac, WI

Sponsored by: Holiday Inn Express and Suites

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Balloon Name: Nifty Gadget Too

Pilot: Chris Keefe, Cross Plains, WI

Sponsored by: Hudson Grocery Co-op

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Balloon Name: Nimbus 2000

Pilot: John Parezo, Sioux Falls, SD

Sponsored by: Zappa Brothers

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Balloon Name: OLE

Pilot: John Hitron, Louisville, KY

Sponsored by: Lindahl Event Services

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Balloon Name: Raven’s Rhapsody

Pilot: Laura Barnes, Oconomowoc, WI

Sponsored by: Viking Electronics

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RE/MAXBalloon Name: RE/MAX

Pilot: Wynn Gustafson, Arden Hills, MN

Sponsored by: RE/MAX, LLC

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Balloon Name: Ruthie’s Delight

Pilot: Dan Strutz, Yale SD

Sponsored by: Hudson Vintage Neighborhood Alliance

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Sedona SunsetBalloon Name: Sedona Sunset

Pilot: Glenn O’Connell, Gilberts, IL

Sponsored by: Lift Me Up Balloon/John & Evy Nerbonne

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Balloon Name: Señorita Sunrise

Pilot: Emma Booth, Lakeland Shores, MN

Sponsored by: Stillwater Balloons

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Balloon Name: Starburst of Destiny

Pilot: Bethany Reuter, Oakdale, MN

Sponsored by: Ink N Threadz

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Sunset Dreams

Balloon Name: Sunset Dreams

Pilot: Tom Steinbock, Crestwood, KY

Sponsored by: Hudson Hot Air Affair

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UpdogBalloon Name: Updog

Pilot: Ashley Kelly, Fitchburg, WI

Sponsored by: Viking Electronics

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Balloon Name: Violet

Pilot: Mike Klawitter, Hatley, WI

Sponsored by: The UPS Store – Hudson

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Wizardly DreamsBalloon Name: Wizardly Dreams

Pilot: Michael Nienow, Rochester, MN

Sponsored by: Carbonne’s Pizzeria – Downtown Hudson

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