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Balloon Name: Too Fun It’s a winning combination with long time Hot Air Affair supporter pilot John Lewis and third year HHAA corporate sponsor WESTconsin Credit Union. John’s a 12 year commercial pilot who lives in Belview, MN with his long time committee member wife and crew chief Barb. The WESTconsin Credit Union crew of Jim, Chuck, Jay, Linda, Dawn and Lori are always there to promote HAA at special events—welcome back as our corporate sponsor!
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Balloon Name: RE/MAX This is Steve’s 17th year at the Hot Air Affair. He’s been a balloonist for about 30 years, logging 1675 hours as pilot in command. Steve flies for RE/MAX North Central, making special appearances on behalf of RE/MAX offices throughout the region. This is his third year coordinating balloon events at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Thanks to Jim Henry and RE/MAX for always including HAA on their schedule.
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Balloon Name: US Bank US Bank balloon and the local US Bank location have lots of history with HAA. The balloon made its inaugural flight in Hudson in 2002 and the 2006 balloon appearance was part of ground-breaking ceremonies for a new Hudson building. Flying for 24 years, Scott has more than 1,700 hours in the air and flies in special events throughout the United States. Scott’s son Matthew is coming to Hudson for the first time this year—Welcome! |
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Balloon Name: Freedom Flight V Luke’s flying a new black POW-MIA special shape balloon with a large eagle face with a tear in its eye. The POW-MIA letters are 3D—puffed out along with all the barbs on the barbed wire. Luke’s a 20-year pilot with 650 hours in the air. When not volunteering for the POW-MIA cause, Luke’s a computer tech/consultant. Thanks to Luke for his dedication to Hot Air Affair…he’s back as our Balloonmeister for 2012. |
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Balloon Name:Big Blue Returning to the HHAA again this year after being a participant in the very first event in 1990, owner Steve Jacobs is back in with both feet! In addition to being a balloon sponsor, he’s donated his time to HHAA off season and countdown events. His family brought a balloon basket to Hudson’s Pumpkin Party in October and Steve flew past the event in a balloon. The Jacobs family has a goal of winning a prize in the “Year of the Dragon” Torchlight Parade contest—good luck!! |
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Balloon Name: Winsome Scott’s a 25 year balloon pilot whos company was at the very first Hot Air Affair in 1990. He’s a HAA committee member who’s helping out this year with appearances by his commercial balloon company at HHAA countdown events and the St. Paul Winter Carnival Parades. His balloons can be seen launching year-round from Aamodt’s Apple Orchards west of Stillwater. |
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Balloon Name: Twisted Truth Resco's a charter Hot Air Affair balloon sponsor--stepping up 23 years in a row to support the community event in Hudson. The Resco crew's also in charge of the wacky Smoosh Board competition Saturday afternoon at E.P. Rock school. Round up some friends and come show your talent with 4 people on the same pair of skis. Good luck Ryan and the Hilke crew!. |
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Balloon Name:Fire and Frost This is Ed’s sixth year as a pilot in Hudson with sponsor Pier 500. He has more than 24,000 hours in a variety of aircraft, including more than 2,400 in hot air balloons. He has set 20 world records in balloons and has made five flights over 30,000 feet with the highest being 38,900 feet. Twin Cities television viewers may have seen Ed on KSTP Channel 5 news recently flying over the balloon rally site in Lindstrom, MN. |
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Balloon Name: In Harmony Nick began his ballooning career in the 1970’s. He has flown in state, national and international competitions and has been an active commercial pilot for RE/MAX, Milwaukee County Zoo and other commercial interests. His crew in Hudson annually consists of a very dedicated group of family members, who almost always, are willing to dig him out of the big snow drifts. For that, they’re deeply appreciated and well fed. |
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Balloon Name: Kaliedascope Back for a second year, sponsor Choice Realty & Auction is teamed with 9-year pilot Brett Tupy. Brett’s been coming to the Hudson event for more than a few and less than many years and helps with Friday media flights and supports school events too. He flies an Aerostar Rally RX-7 and has 170 hours as pilot in command. Bret’s occupation is a builder when he’s not flying balloons.
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Balloon Name: Crayola Lite Gus Gus says he’s fortunate to have been invited and attended every HAA from the beginning. He’s also had many wonderful ballooning experiences—from flying the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary to winning a Harley by taking first place in 2002 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta to flying the Red Rocks in Gallup, NM this year. His best experience is sharing the sport with other people—especially first timers. Thanks again to long time sponsor Don Springer and crew!
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Balloon Name: Euphoria When asked how many years he’s been ballooning, Rich says 39 and still counting. With more than 2500 hours in the sky and world records, we’re pleased to have Rich coming back to Hudson. Rich’s sponsors have been chosen to lead the Torchlight Parade as Grand Marshalls—our thanks for their enthusiastic and euphoric support of HAA and Hudson. Thanks Wayne & Jean Haut, Rich & Mary Ellen Cox and the entire Neighborhood group! Rich—new record as Grand Marshall and parade unit winners at the same time? ! |
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Balloon Name: April Love Making his 17th visit to Hudson, Steve’s sponsored by long time Hot Air Affair sponsor Baldwin Telecom. Steve says people ask “why the piano on the balloon?” He tells them—“Well, I professionally play the piano and repair them; hence my claim to fame is I fix ‘em, play ‘em and fly ‘em!” Thanks to both Steve and Fred from Baldwin Telecom for bringing the Aerostar Aurora back to Hudson. |
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Balloon Name: Sabrina A private pilot and owner of a hardwood floor company, Mike has been flying balloons for 18 years and has 275 hours as pilot in command. He’s a long-time HHAA pilot and his 77,000 cubic foot Head balloon can be seen in Wisconsin rallies throughout the year. Al and his crew from The UPS store help out with printing many of the HHAA materials—check out the new school program booklet put together by Mary Martin and Rush River Media!! |
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Balloon Name:Goldie Bert’s been flying balloons for 33 years and he’s bringing Goldie, one of the balloons he and his pilot wife Jane own. They have been long time Hot Air Affair supporters and help promote the Hudson event when participating in other rallies throughout the Midwest and around the United States. Bert’s passenger will come from charter balloon sponsor Zappa Bros., a North Hudson company providing snow removal services for the HHAA for more than 20 years. |
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Balloon Name:Scotch Larry and his new sponsor are looking forward to a fun filled HAA. He’s a 35-year pilot with more than 1,200 hours and flies commercially for Wiederkehr Balloons. Look for John Knutson and the crew from Larsen Sports Medicine in the parade with long time helpers Dave and Darlene Reisinger. Welcome aboard to everyone at Larsen Sports Medicine. |
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Balloon Name: Solar Flair Glenn’s a 30+ year pilot who flies a 100,000 cubic foot Cameron balloon. ViXX hosts their Lift Me Up program, working with Glenn to provide a balloon ride each year to someone touched by cancer. Nancy Fouks coordinates the program for ViXX to help a cancer patient step away from his or her daily challenges to enjoy a lift up flying in Solar Flair. Glenn’s balloon will represent HAA at the Hudson Middle School to recognize winners in their reading program. |
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Balloon Name: Air Forge A 22-year pilot with more than 575 hours in the sky, Mike holds a commercial rating and flies an AX7 Firefly balloon. This is his tenth year at Hot Air Affair and we’re pleased to have him fly a special program of the event. Richard Pierce was a passenger in HHAA 2010 and lost his battle with cancer shortly after the event. His widow Kathy wants to pay it forward so is again partnering with the Hudson Relay For Life to offer a balloon flight experience to another cancer patient. |
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Balloon Name: Barney Another HHAA charter balloon sponsor is flying with Barney, a 90,000 cubic foot Aerostar. Jim’s a 25-year pilot with more than 1500 hours in the sky who flies for Aamodt’s Hot Air Balloon Rides, Inc. Thanks Jim for helping with HHAA promotional events year round and especially at the St. Paul Winter Carnival parade. Jim and the crew at Dick’s Bar are quite a team!! |
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Balloon Name: Jack's UpSky Welcome another new sponsor to HAA—Comfort Suites of Hudson opened about a month ago and offers another fabulous lodging option in Hudson. They’re paired with long time HAA pilot Ken Walter and his Lindstrand 60X balloon. Ken has nearly 1,000 hours as pilot in command in his 23 years of flying. Ken missed last year’s event because he attended a certain football game—the Packers fan says that isn’t a conflict this year! |
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Balloon Name: Nothern Lights Pete’s a former Hot Air Affair Balloonmeister and he’s paired with a new/former sponsor. The Hammond Hotel Bar was a sponsor under a previous ownership and we’re thrilled they’re back! Pete says he had become tied up with his kids’ activities in recent years and sold his balloon to a friend. He bought it back recently and is re-energized and excited to fly it again. Glad you’re back Pete and Sue!!. |
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Balloon Name: Yet to be named This is John’s second year as a pilot at Hot Air Affair, having been a crew member in Hudson for four years. He’ll be flying his Aerostar RX7—and he still hasn’t come up with a name! This is the second year sponsorship for the local automotive dealership under new ownership—thanks to Hudson Ford for helping us out when we call!
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Balloon Name: Hocus Pocus Dale says 2012 marks 20 years of flying balloons! Thanks for returning to HAA for the fifth year as pilot for M&I Bank. Lee Anderson and Molly Johnson from the bank are active HAA volunteers and we’re pleased to see them paired again with Dale to see Hudson from the sky. Molly’s working with Carla Timmerman in coordinating pilot activities and Lee’s leading the retail button promotion— among many other tasks! |
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Balloon Name: Stillwater Balloons Too Jake’s a six year pilot with Hot Air Affair and a commercially rated pilot flying for Stillwater Balloons. He’s been an aeronaut for 12 years with more than 100 hours flying time. Jake’s helping out with HAA appearances at the Winter Carnival—thanks for the fire! The Hudson House Grand Hotel changed names recently (formerly Best Western) and is a charter balloon sponsor—23 years of continuous support. |
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Balloon Name: Kahootz Mark’s a 22-year pilot with 500 hours in the air and will be flying for long-time HAA supporter PressEnter! His balloon can be seen in the skies of Albuquerque during the annual Balloon Fiesta as part of the Wisconsin contingent to New Mexico every October. He especially likes to fly in the Fiesta Dawn Patrol. He says he’s flown in Hudson for ”a bunch” of years and this will be the first year with his new wife! Congratulations Mark! |
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Balloon Name: Cloud Nine Welcome a new sponsor and new balloon to this year’s event. Mark works in information technology and has been involved in ballooning since 2004. He started crewing but soon realized he wanted to fly. He purchased his 1997 Firefly in 2007 and his family enjoys the adventure ballooning has brought into their lives. Thanks to Anderson Heating and volunteers Richard and Sharon Young for joining the HAA family! |
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Balloon Name: Airganic Garden The newest special shape balloon at the event is the Airganic Garden—a perfect combination with Family Fresh Markets. The balloon features state of the art inkjet printing for the attention getting design that includes two giant monarch butterflies, two mouth watering tomatoes, a 25 foot tall apple basket, strawberries, peaches, cinnamon sticks, a classic barn, five cows and two horses on a vivid blue and green background. Check out the money saving Family Fresh Market coupon in this year’s HHAA brochure. |
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Balloon Name: Tiny This is Daniel’s first Hot Air Affair as a pilot, paired with former balloon pilot Jim Wiersgalla who’s participating again this year as a sponsor. Jim’s a long time supporter of Hot Air Affair and generously donates his time and framed artwork produced by his company to HAA events and charitable causes. Daniel is flying one of the balloons from Stillwater Balloons. |
