Hot Air Affair

Damn thats probably the best name for a balloon event out!!

Editorial staff, Hudson Star-Observer
Published Thursday, February 01, 2007

This weekend's 18th annual Hot Air Affair brings fun and excitement to
Hudson as we head into February and the home stretch of winter.

By all accounts, this has been a fairly mild winter –- but winter is still
winter with its short days and gray skies. The Hot Air Affair offers a
pleasant oasis as we await spring and endure the final days of winter's
punch.

The Hot Air Affair has become the largest winter balloon rally in the
Midwest, and this weekend's event promises to bring plenty of people to our
community. The list of activities continues to grow each year. Some of the
more popular events include the balloon launches on Saturday and Sunday
mornings and Saturday afternoon. The Saturday night Moon Glow always draws a
big crowd. Friday night's torchlight parade, followed by fireworks over
Lakefront Park and the St. Croix River, is always a crowd pleaser.

Some other events include dances, bingo, pancake breakfasts, volleyball,
pets on display, winter sports competitions, ice carving demonstrations,
geocaching, a chili cook-off –- and much more. Be sure to check the schedule
in this week's Star-Observer.

The weekend involves many, many volunteers, but the core group members who
have worked hard to make this weekend a success include Evy Nerbonne, Carla
Timmerman, Linda White (and her children Brian and Michelle and
granddaughter Taylor), Mary Martin, Katie and Daryl Jones, John Knutson,
Cindy Brown, Ruth Peterson, Chris Olson, Lana Sjoberg, Jim Wiersgalla, Ray
and Teri Peterson, Marv and Connie Wenzel, John and Barb Lewis, Linda
Marentic, Marcia Edwards, Evonne Jordan, Sheryl E-Marshal, Randy
Schillinger, Shelli Erck, Jo, Jim and Kelly McQuitty, Char Hipsher, Sara
Pommerening, Linda Schmidt, Sue Elmer, Kelly Schreiber, Molly Johnson, Julie
Jeppesen, Cheryl Trusso, Darren Forbes, Cheryl Sass, Deanna Grigus, Darlene
Reisinger, Nate Skoog and Gladys Peterson.

Nerbonne, Timmerman and White have been involved in Hot Air Affair since Day
1 and continue to be the force behind the event. It is indeed a tribute to
these people who have stuck with this event as we enter the 18th year –- it
takes great dedication and work to put the celebration together year after
year. We tip our hat to all the volunteers, but especially Nerbonne,
Timmerman and White.

The Hot Air Affair volunteers have been working hard all year –- now we can
cash in on their hard work and have fun this weekend. Have a great time!

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