Arts briefs: Hot air balloons to take flight over Hudson

Arts briefs

January 28, 2012 at 12:11AM
Jim and Susan Jacobs brought their three kids to Hudson, WI, to check out the field of balloons Saturday morning for Hudson's Hot Air Affair. The balloons were unable to fly due to foggy weather conditions.
Fog hit the 2011 Hudson Hot Air Affair. (Dml -/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Organizers across the St. Croix River in Hudson are prepping for the 23rd annual Hudson Hot Air Affair, which will run from Friday through next Sunday.

The festival is one of the Midwest's leading winter ballooning events, attracting more than 40 hot air balloons that will take flight at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and next Sunday, weather permitting.

The fete also includes winter-themed events such as smooshboarding, chili cook-off, martial arts demonstrations and a Friday night Torchlight parade commemorating the Year of the Dragon.

"We're in theme with the Chinese New Year," said Evy Nerbonne, president of Hudson Hot Air Affair Inc., the nonprofit organization that runs the event with the help of as many as 200 volunteers. "On Saturday, we'll even have a New Year celebration with music and dancing," as well as Chinese food and a tea ceremony sponsored by area businesses.

A schedule of events and other information is posted on the festival's website, www.hudsonhotairaffair.com.

DENMARK TOWNSHIP

Night hike at nature centerThe Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center will hold a Moonlight Snowshoe Hike on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. The hike will wrap up with popcorn and cider around a fire; participants can bring snowshoes, but they will be provided, too.

Tickets are $8, or $6 for "Friends of CNC." For more information or to make a reservation, call 651-437-4359.

WHITE BEAR LAKE

Scrapbookers invitedThe White Bear Lake Area Historical Society will hold its quarterly all-day scrapbooking crop on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 4th St.

The event will include breakfast, lunch, dinner and prizes. The cost is $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers. Proceeds support the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society.

For information, visit www.whitebear history.org/scrapbooking.html.

ANDREW JOHNSON

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