Source: hudsonstarobserver.com
It’s all about the balloons! And a new balloon is coming to Hudson for the first time for the 24th annual Hudson Hot Air Affair Feb. 1-3. The winter festival is presented by WESTconsin Credit Union—Hudson and features about 30 commercial, regular and special-shaped hot air balloons.
It’s all about the balloons! And a new balloon is coming to Hudson for the first time for the 24th annual Hudson Hot Air Affair Feb. 1-3. The winter festival is presented by WESTconsin Credit Union—Hudson and features about 30 commercial, regular and special-shaped hot air balloons.
The newest special-shape balloon to participate at this year’s event is Gus T. Guppy, sponsored by Hudson House Grand Hotel, one of the charter balloon sponsors who have supported the Hot Air Affair since its beginning in 1990.
The special-shape balloon is a cheerful yellow fish, complete with blue stripes and big green eyes. The crowd favorite has traveled to balloon rallies around the United States on behalf of Air America Balloons.
Gus T. Guppy is an Aerostar AX6. The pilot will be Larry Konash, Burnsville, Minn., a recent transplant to the Midwest from New Jersey. He’s been ballooning for 41 years with more than 3,200 hours in the air as a commercial pilot in command of a hot air balloon.
The Hot Air Affair is known for attracting commercial and special shape balloons, according to balloon coordinators Carla Timmerman and Molly Johnson. This year’s commercial balloons include RE/MAX and U.S. Bank. The specialty balloon called Airganic Garden will be back in Hudson, compliments of Family Fresh Markets. In addition to Gus T. Guppy, other specialty balloons returning this year include the flying piano balloon April Love, sponsored by Zappa Brothers, and the POW-MIA balloon Freedom Flight V, sponsored by VVA Chapter 331.
“Balloon enthusiasts think special-shape balloons when they think of Hudson and we’ve had special shapes at all 24 years of our event,” said Timmerman.
The Hudson Hot Air Affair is known as the premier winter hot air balloon rally in the Midwest with about 30 regular and special shaped balloons making the annual trip to Hudson.
Balloon launches are set for 7:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 2 and 3. An optional flight is at 3 p.m. Saturday and the crowd-pleasing Moon Glow or Field of Fire is at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
The 2013 theme for Hot Air Affair is “Majestic Flyway”, a celebration of all things that fly over Hudson — hot air balloons, fireworks, swans, eagles and other winged creatures.
—Hot Air balloon crews needed to set up, chase and take down balloons.
Numerous balloonists travel to Hudson alone from long distances and need local volunteers to help crew for the weekend. Previous balloon crewing experience is preferred but not necessary. Local drivers who know area roads area also needed to assist out of town balloonists. If you‘d like to crew, call the Hot Air Affair office at 715-381-2050 or email hudsonhotairaffair@gmail.com
Brochures
Hot Air Affair brochures and event details are available at local businesses and the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau office. Check out the website at Hudson Hot Air Affair.com for a complete event schedule. The Hot Air Affair Facebook page has the latest news and pictures of countdown and HAA weekend events
Source: hudsonstarobserver.com