During the 103rd annual Windsor Harvest Festival, the NOCO Style team had the unforgettable experience of lifting off from Eastman Park in a hand-painted hot air balloon crafted by Minnesota artist Charles Markert. Tim and Jodi Markert of The Hot Air Balloon Experience offered the chance to see the town from a unique perspective. Charles, based in Excelsior, Minn., is known for his large-scale portrait work but found a new kind of canvas when General Mills commissioned him to paint a cereal bowl on one of their balloons. Since then, he has painted more than 50 hot air balloon envelopes, transforming the skies into a gallery for his art. This year’s Harvest Festival featured the hot air balloons, a parade, local vendors, live entertainment and more, showcasing the heart of Windsor and the traditions that bring the community together.
Photos by Aidan Suttlehan and Jordan Secher.
