For Immediate Release
Hudson Hot Air Affair Balloon Rally and Winter Festival
January 23, 2008
Hot Air Affair “Mardi Gras…Balloons and All That Jazz”
It’s a Mardi Gras celebration at the Hudson Hot Air Affair, the premier winter hot air balloon rally in the Midwest. The 19th annual rally and winter festival, presented by M&I Bank, will be Feb. 1-3, 2008 in Hudson, WI.
Dozens of hot air balloons, including special shapes like ”Mr. Biddle”, “Garfield” and “Rubber Duckie”, will launch Saturday and Sunday mornings. Other specially designed balloons will represent M&I Bank, ReMax and U.S. Bank. Because February flying is a rarity, hot air balloonists come from throughout the United States to participate in the winter rally. The Saturday evening Moon Glow allows visitors to walk among the aerostats tethered on the ground illuminating the E.P. Rock elementary school launch field.
The Mardi Gras theme brings new activities to the annual event, including a Taste of New Orleans at 15 Hudson restaurants and bistros, a benefit jazz concert for a New Orleans medical bus and beads, beads and more beads.
The winter festival kicks off Friday night with a torchlight parade, featuring blasts of flames, marching kazoo bands and Mardi Gras theme units. A fireworks display over the St. Croix River will start after the parade. Other evening activities include bingo, karaoke and dances.
Saturday activities include a pancake breakfast, marketplace and craft fair, volleyball in the snow, darts, horseshoes, kite flying, Mardi Gras sales at local store, geocaching, smoosh board competition, pet costume contest, crafts for kids, Octagon House Museum open house, benefit jazz concert and dances. The Freedom Tent will provide a good place to warm up and enjoy music, games and refreshments while attending the Saturday night Moon Glow.
Another pancake breakfast and the annual chili cook-off lead the Sunday schedule.
Hot Air Affair souvenirs, including fleece pullovers, long sleeved t-shirts, sweatshirts and cloisonné pins, will be available at the Marketplace at E.P. Rock School on Saturday.
All spectator events are free. For details, contact the Hudson Area Chamberof Commerce and Tourism Bureau at 715-386-8411, 800-656-6775 or visit the web sites: www.hudsonhotairaffair.com or www.hudsonwi.org.
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