~Fourth Annual Hudson Wine Festival~

Hudson Hub Times

Heat proves no deterrent to fourth annual Hudson Wine Festival

by Dorothy Markulis Reporter

Hudson -- The fourth annual Hudson Wine Festival brought thousands of people downtown despite very hot weather, according to event producer Debra Sherman.

"We could have hoped for a few degrees less on the thermometer -- it was blazing hot -- but the overall weather was beautiful," Sherman said.

Tallies on the actual attendance and money raised for Pawsibilities -- Humane Society of Greater Akron and the Hattie Larlham Doggie Day Care facility, both located in Twinsburg, were not available at press time, according to Sherman. In the past three years, the event raised $50,000 for Pawsibilities.

Attendance was "great" and about the same as last year's 7,500, she said.

Organizers expanded the festival to both sides of the street, adding more umbrella tables and chairs for the event.

"We wanted people to be able to relax and enjoy their wine. The chairs and tables were always in use," Sherman said.

Participants could sample more than 200 wines from three Ohio wineries, national wineries and international wineries.

"The Ohio wines were very popular," Sherman said.

The event preview party July 15 at Lake Forest Country Club also was well attended, according to Sherman.

"We had about 90 people attending. The weather was beautiful and the food was highly praised. Lake Forest Chef Ray Slagle provided a large assortment of food," Sherman said.

Chef Rick Carson, owner Nosh Eatery and Creative Catering, which will open Aug. 8 at 5929 Darrow Road, introduced some of his dishes at the wine event.

"It was great. We had a lot of people sampling our food," Carson said. "It gave us an opportunity to interact with the community. We had a lot of positive responses."

Carson praised the event.

"Anytime you can bring the community together, it's always a good thing," he said.