It is an honor and a privilege to fly Charlie Markert's masterpiece, The Celebration.  Wherever we go we are complimented and feel very proud to own such a beautiful balloon.  Many balloon festivals specifically invite us to come because they know that we will draw in a good crowd for their event. 

Our local hot air balloon festival, The Hudson Hot Air Affair (Hudson, WI) will not allow this masterpiece to be inflated.  They tell us that this is a "family event" and that the "bare breasts  are offensive".  Historically, they used to be proud to have Charlie's balloons attend, but three years ago something switched. 

So this weekend, 6-8 February, 2026, two weeks after Charles Markert passed away, one would expect his home town ballooning community to celebrate is contribution to the world of hot air ballooning.  Markert's hand-painted balloon envelopes are, without a doubt, the inspiration behind special shaped balloons, therefore, he deserves to be honored, not villainized.