Wind can’t deflate Marshfield’s first Balloon Jubilee

MARSHFIELD – Marshfield’s inaugural Dairyland Balloon Jubilee saw colorful skies, glowing balloons and hundreds of tethered rides – even as the weather didn’t always cooperate.
A total of 38 hot air balloons were registered for the two-day event at Seehafer Acres, organized by longtime balloonmeister Steve Woller and his wife, Nancy, under their nonprofit, We Love Ballooning. About 23 balloons were able to take flight before rain and wind forced organizers to cancel other launches.
“We had a window Friday night, but it got closed up on us real fast,” Woller said. “Saturday, it was just too windy to fly, but at least we had the glow.”
The popular balloon glow, timed to music like “Thunderstruck,” drew large crowds despite the conditions. An estimated 360 visitors also took tethered balloon rides, and about 24 balloons lit up for the glow.
Exact attendance numbers weren’t available, but Woller said visitors told him downtown Marshfield “was a ghost town Saturday night; everyone was at the balloon rally.”

No incidents were reported. Organizers noted balloon flights always depend on weather, which can change at the last moment. “We don’t announce the Sunday farewell flight because by 6:30 a.m., everything’s gone. It’s really just about seeing the balloons quietly take off,” Woller said.
Planning is already underway for next year’s event, set for July 10-11, 2026. Changes may include new entrances, more shuttle options, and reorganized vendor and spectator areas.
With only about 45 active balloonists in Wisconsin, the rally focused as much on friendship as flight.
“It’s important to get together,” Woller said. “And you can’t fake the joy this brings when you see 40 balloons in the sky. It’s something you never forget.”