Hot Air Affair

In the Midwest February brings cold weather, snow and balloons. The first weekend in February the "Hudson Hot Air Affair" bring balloonists from across America to join in some winter flying. This year we had 30 balloons registered. The pilots and balloons came from all around the Midwest, including; Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, South Dakota, Iowa There were long haul balloons from Kentucky, New Mexico, Kansas.

A balloon flight offered a unique perspective of the city and surroundings. The balloon travels where the wind blows, we saw schools, neighborhoods and a variety of wildlife including horses, cows, deer and turkeys. Traveling along at 3-7 mph our altitude range from tree top level up to 800 feet. Often in silence that was only broken by the burner putting out 36,000 BTU. Glancing down we saw smiles, waves and cellphones of the locals.

The weekend included scheduled events of; an evening parade through Hudson, balloon launches and Moon Glow.