HUDSON WINE FESTIVAL RETURNS TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED

The 6th annual Hudson Wine Festival, a benefit for animal welfare groups in the Summit County area, will take place Friday, July 19 from 4 – 10 pm and Saturday, July 20 from 2 – 10 pm.  Presented by University Hospitals, the festival is held along Village Way, in the beautiful First & Main shopping district and showcases over 150 wines from local, national and international producers as well as select craft beers and spirits.  Guests will enjoy delectable food from Nosh Eatery & Creative Catering, musical entertainment, educational seminars, artists and exhibitors along with various raffles throughout the weekend. 

“We look forward to another successful event and supporting animal welfare in our community.  Our continued partnerships with Discount Drug Mart, Adams Reserve New York Extra Sharp Cheddar, Rubber City Radio Group, First & Main Hudson, Merrill Lynch and now University Hospitals will enable us to cast a wider net in the community and generate additional awareness for the many animals that are in need” said Debra Sherman, president of Connecting For A Cause.

Guests are also able to purchase a selection of wines and beers by the full glass on site at the full pour bar with their taste tickets.  Additionally, Discount Drug Mart will serve as the festival’s retail supplier for any post festival purchases and guests may place their orders with their local stores directly using the retail order form found at the festival or online after July 19 at http://www.hudsonwinefestival.com/wines-presented/.

Held in conjunction with the Merchants of Hudson annual sidewalk sale (July 18 – 21), the Hudson Wine Festival will be a popular destination for shoppers, diners and the after work crowd.  Friday’s festivities will also include a movie on the First & Main Green after dusk.

Exhibits include a variety of vendors throughout the site offering a variety of products and services that are animal, wine and community oriented.  Adoptable animals will be showcased on site by the various rescue groups involved.  New this year is a special feature from Wine & Canvas that allows guests in the tasting area to partake in a mini art class and paint a mini masterpiece while enjoying their beverages.

University Hospitals is the presenting sponsor and Honorary Chairperson is Heidi Gartland, longtime Hudson resident and UH Vice President of Government Relations.

Leashed pets are welcome at the Hudson Wine Festival and amenities such as water bowls, doggie pools and sprinklers and the occasional biscuit are on site to pamper the pooches.

The Hudson Wine Festival has raised more than $75,000 for animal welfare groups to date and hosts more than 7,000 guests annually.  “With more than a dozen animal welfare organizations in the area, there is a constant need to assist our four legged friends as they become victims of cruelty and abandonment.  Your generous support will allow a variety of Summit County agencies to continue their tireless work to find “fur-ever” homes for these animals” said Sherman. Many of these organizations care for thousands of animals a year and provide much needed medical care such as vaccinations and spaying or neutering, food and a safe temporary home.  Their support comes primarily from the public and they rely on those that are able to give whether it be monetarily or of their time.

Tickets to the festival are $22 in advance and $27 at the door and include 10 tastings and a souvenir wine glass.  Additional tastings are $1 each and available at the event.  Weekend passes are also available for $32 in advance and $37 at the door allowing for daily admission.  Designated driver tickets are available on site for $10 and include two soft drinks.  Advance sale tickets are available online now at www.hudsonwinefestival.com and will also be available at local Discount Drug Mart stores, The Hudson Visitor Center and In Style Accessories starting June 24th.

Visit www.hudsonwinefestival.com for up to the minute details and for more information on how you can become a part of the Hudson Wine Festival and support animal welfare in our area. 

Connecting For A Cause is a non-profit organization which develops and produces community events to benefit other charitable organizations in Ohio and operates exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.