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If you’re looking for an excuse to get out of the house this weekend, check out Hudson Hot Air Affair. It’s a huge collection of hot air balloons launching from an open field in Hudson, WI, at EP Rock School.

You certainly don’t have to be a kid to appreciate the huge and colorful hot air balloons that will be dotting the landscape (and eventually, the sky) in Hudson, WI this weekend. But you also don’t have to be a fan of hot air balloons to enjoy the weekend’s festivities. This is a full blown party with tons of stuff to do for you and the whole family.

Besides watching the balloons prepare and launch, there will be plenty of other activities to keep you busy. There will also be events such as an evening parade, geocaching, shopping, smooshboarding, arts and crafts, hot air balloon moon glow and great food in addition to the hot air balloon launches.

426487_10150637294750903_940316910_nThe Hudson Hot Air Affair falls on Super Bowl weekend again this year. And while the theme in the past has been football-related, the theme this year is “Majestic Flyway.” Check the schedule for all the fun that’s happening throughout the weekend, starting tonight with Live jazz at Urban Olive and Vine, 520 Second Street.

Also tonight at 7pm check out the Torchlight “Majestic Flyway” Parade. There will be prizes for Best Overall Parade Unit, Best Unit by Hot Air Balloonists, the best “Majestic Flyway” themed Unit, and the best kazoo marching band. The parade will begin in Wells Fargo Bank parking lot at 2nd Street and Locust Street near Phipps Center for the Arts and head down 2nd Street. Enjoy a fireworks display immediately after the parade over Lakefront Park and the St. Croix River sponsored by Andersen Corporation. This will be grand finale to downtown festivities.

Catch American Idol finalist Reed Grimm performing live at Hudson High School Auditorium at 8pm.Grimm and his talented siblings Jennifer and Trey Grimm perform with proceeds benefiting YAH and Hudson SAFE. General admission tickets at County Market and Family Fresh Market and premier seating tickets at YAH office.

However, you can get your rock star on at karaoke at Plaza Lounge, Plaza 94 at 9pm, and groove your body at the dance at Dick’s Bar & Grill at 10, at Walnut Street and 2nd Street.

Saturday morning the balloons launch at 7:30, nearly 40 hot air balloons, including special shapes, in competitive flight. They will take off from EP Rock school grounds (13th and Summer, on the Hill). Concessions and souvenirs will be available.

Throughout the day, don’t miss the pancake breakfast, marketplace and craft fair, geocaching, Up, Up and Away 5K Fun Run, also on the school grounds (registration is at 9am), Minnesota Kite Society demos, Smooshboard competition, crafts for kids, another balloon launch at 3pm, silent auction and lots more.

Then Sunday, another launch at 7:30am, more geocaching, a chili cookoff and a tailgate party at 2pm before the weekend wraps up. You’ll be home in time for whatever plans you have for the Super Bowl.

For more information about this huge event, visit www.hudsonhotairaffair.com.

Hudson Hot Air Affair, Inc.
P.O. Box 744
Hudson, WI 54016
(888) 247-2332
(715) 381-2050

EP Rock School
340 13th St. S
Hudson, WI 54016
http://www.hudsonhotairaffair.com/

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