Celebrate Hudson!

Issue #9: July 14, 2026

Celebrate Hudson! is a free monthly email newsletter produced as a community service by Hudson Community Foundation and Destination Hudson (both local independent non-profit organizations) to showcase some of the incredible community events hosted by an array of non-profit organizations in Hudson. Scroll down and enjoy. 

Take a guess at Hudson Trivia Question #3 for a chance to win a prize. It’s mid-way below in this email.

Art On The Green

Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, and Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026

10am to 5pm

Dowtown Hudson Greens

Art on the Green, Hudson's largest and longest-running juried fine arts and crafts show, returns to downtown Hudson this year. The show will include 160 exhibitor booths, as well as a raffle tent offering works of Hudson Society of Artists members. Arts are featured in multiple categories, including painting, sculpture, woodworking, jewelry, metalwork, photography, graphics, digital art, fiber arts and clothing, ceramics and pottery, glass works and mixed media. Additionally, this year's event will feature new artists in the categories of handcrafted candles, soaps and skincare, gourmet foods and herbals. Food trucks will be on site. For more details, visit www.hudsonsocietyofartists.com

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Peg’s Foundation and Gallery: Two Exhibits

Now through Saturday, September 5, 2026

25 Years of Impact:

Mondays through Wednesdays, 11am to 4pm: Thursdays through Saturdays, 11am to 7pm

Eighty-Six Reasons:

Fridays and Saturdays, 11am to 4pm

53 First Street, Hudson

Peg’s invites the community to experience two new exhibits. 25 Years of Impact explores the foundation’s history through stories, images and artifacts highlighting initiatives, partnerships and lasting community change. Concurrently, Eighty-Six Reasons for Asylum Admission: A Domestic Beginning by Ohio porcelain artist Kimberly Chapman examines the gendered history of women’s institutionalization. Free and open to the public, with parking available throughout downtown Hudson.

Door 2 Art Studio – Open Studio

Every Wednesday

4pm to 8pm

5374 Darrow Rd, Hudson

Door 2 is a multi-faceted art studio in Hudson with professional artists on staff. Door 2 hosts community events, Open Studio, an Artist Speaker Series, Art Classes, Artist Forum and more. All activities are free and open to the public. Open Studio every Wednesdays from 4pm to 8pm is open to everyone ages 14+. There are free materials and instructions in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, and more. Adults, college and high school artists are welcome. 

For more information, visit www.door2art.com

Hudson Trivia Question #2:

On average, how long is the drive to work for Hudsonites whose job is outside the home?

(scroll to the end of this email for the answer)

Upcoming Events: Learning & Education

Hudson Community Foundation:

Family Philanthropy Workshop

Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 4pm to 5pm

Hudson Library & Historical Society, 96 Library St., Hudson

Do you want to give back and help others – and involve your family in that discussion?

The Hudson Community Foundation is sponsoring a workshop in a small group setting for families to discuss charitable giving – and to share ideas and inspirations with like-minded families. In this workshop, each family will discuss among themselves their most important values. Then, the group will discuss how these values translate to causes, how to identify worthy nonprofits that support your family values, and how to move forward. Come with any combination of family members – parents, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins.

This workshop is free of charge and open to any family in Hudson or nearby communities. Registration is required. Click the link to register.

Fresh Air Events in Hudson Parks



With summer in the air, now is the time to enjoy the fresh air and tranquility of Hudson’s parks. Here are several special opportunities offered by the nonprofit group Friends of Hudson Parks.

Bat Monitoring Program

Friday, July 24, 2026

7:30pm to 9pm

Hudson Springs Park, 7095 Stow Rd., Hudson

Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners and Discover Bats Ohio will monitor for bats using sound wave technology. Learn about these fascinating nocturnal creatures and their role in our ecosystem as we tune into their ultrasonic calls. All registrants will be entered into a raffle for a bat box, courtesy of Wild Birds Unlimited in Cuyahoga Falls. This event is free of charge. Registration is requested at www.friendsofhudsonparks.org.

Intro to Kayaking Class and Standup Paddleboarding Lesson

Saturday, July 18, 2026 (Kayaking)

Saturday, July 25, 2026 (Paddleboarding)

9am to 12noon

Hudson Springs Park, 7095 Stow Rd., Hudson

Safety training, instruction and equipment for these kayaking and paddleboarding lessons will be provided by KSU Rec Well Adventure Center. Participants must be age 8 years or older. Cost is $40/person (plus taxes & fees), Friends of Hudson Parks (FOHP) members receive a 25% discount. Registration is required. Register directly with KSU Recreation and Wellness Services: https://recwell.kent.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=af3c13d0-bc59-438a-bfa8-3a9b316bac17&semesterId=0a11b894-1b69-4f9c-a896-5684a9d9aaaf

Pack The Pond

Monday, August 3, 2026

5pm to 8pm

Hudson Springs Park, 7095 Stow Rd., Hudson

Join the Friends of Hudson Parks and Kent State University RecWell Adventure Center for the 14^th annual Pack the Pond celebration. The entire community is invited to this family-friendly, end-of-summer event! Activities include:

• Try kayaking, canoes and stand-up paddleboards for free. Pre-registration is preferred, but on-site registration will also be available. Register for one of the water crafts here: https://friendsofhudsonparks.org/event/pack-the-pond/.
• Enter our raffle and win amazing prizes! One lucky winner will win a Quest Endeavor 100 Kayak with Quest Chute Aluminum Kayak Paddle and an Onyx Adult MoveVent Dynamic Nylon Life Vest. Additional prizes will be provided by Hudson merchants. Raffle tickets ($5 each or 5 for $20) may be purchased online at https://friendsofhudsonparks.org/pack-the-pond-raffle-tickets/ or during the event with the drawing to be held at 7:30 p.m. at the May Pavilion. 
• Free food and drinks.
• Learn about our geocaching programs.

In the event of extreme weather, the rain date is Thursday, August 6. 

Hudson Trivia Question #3:

What is the route number of the Akron Metro bus line that runs through Hudson?

(scroll to the end of this email to see how you can win a prize by guessing at the answer to this question)

Hudson Library: Science and Technology Walking Tour

Monday, July 27, 2026

10am

Hudson Library & Historical Society, 96 Library St., Hudson

This walking tour celebrates the ways Hudsonites have contributed to science and technology. You'll hear, for example. about James Sorgi, the founder of American Fireworks Company, and Edward M. Morely whose work directly contributed to Einstein's theory of Relativity.

All walking tours are weather dependent and meet at the entrance to the library. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Registration is required. Register online at www.hudsonlibrary.org or by calling 330/653-6658.

Peg's Foundation: Exploring the Inner Critic with an Art Therapist

Thursday, August 6, 2026

5:30pm to 7pm

Peg’s Foundation & Gallery

53 First Street, Hudson



Join licensed psychotherapist and clinical art therapist Summer Myers for an experiential workshop exploring the voice of the inner critic through art-making and reflective discussion. Participants will engage in real-time art-making exercises designed to support reflection on self-criticism and self-compassion. The event is free and open to the public. No art experience is required, and there is no emphasis on skill or outcome.

Artwork created in session is optional to keep or leave behind. Participants are welcome to bring magazines, photographs, or other collage elements to incorporate into their work. Registration is required at https://pegs.org/event/exploring-the-inner-critic-with-an-art-therapist/

Upcoming Events: Children's Summer Activities

At the Hudson Library

Kids of all ages will enjoy these events at the Hudson Library & Historical Society, 96 Library St., Hudson. All are free and open to all. Registration is required for all events. To register, visit www.hudsonlibrary.org.  

Explore Lost Worlds with Mad Science of NE Ohio

Saturday, July 18, 2026

11am

Science and storytelling come together in this interactive Mad Science show designed for Summer Reading 2026: Unearth a Story. Dinosaurs have inspired myths, legends, and books for centuries. Through fossils, skulls, and big science demos, kids discover how we piece together the lives of these giants and how they’ve sparked tales from dragons to roaming beasts. Perfect for sparking curiosity and connecting reading to real-world science! 

Reading Buddies (Grades 5 and Up)

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

2:30pm to 4pm

This peer literacy program is for students in grades 5 and up who will be partnered with a younger buddy to help them with their reading skills. Reading buddies is great for tweens and teens who love kids, helping their community and love sharing their love of books. 

Tween Yoga

Thursdays, July 23 and July 30, 2026

5pm

Lisa of One Tree Love invites tweens ages 8–12 to a nature‑inspired yoga practice. Drawing inspiration from the natural world around us, this calming class encourages participants to slow down, unwind, take deep breaths and build a meaningful connection with nature as well as with themselves! No experience is needed, just comfy clothes, a mat or towel and an open mind.  

Tie Dye (ages 6-10)

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

1pm

This is a fun, hands-on tie-dye program where participants will learn simple folding, twisting, and dyeing techniques to create a one-of-a-kind wearable work of art. All basic supplies will be provided, as well as wash instructions following the dye process. Participants: bring a clean, white or light-colored cotton item from home, such as a T-shirt, tote bag, bandana or pair of socks. And dress for mess! This program is intended for children ages 6-10 and their grownups! When registering, please register each individual person planning to tie-dye an item.  

Hudson Trivia Question #4:

What prominent merchant and mayor from Hudson’s past is remembered locally today as the namesake of a city street, a café and prominent building?

(scroll to the end of this email for the answer)

Hudson City and Schools: Touch-A-Truck

Saturday, July 25, 2026

10am to 1pm (sensory hour from 10am to 11am)

Bus lot off North Hayden Parkway, between McDowell Early Learning School and East Woods Intermediate School

Touch-A-Truck is Hudson’s annual hands-on celebration of big rigs, rescue vehicles and equipment of all kinds – hosted in partnership by the City of Hudson and Hudson City School District. This family-friendly event invites kids (and kids at heart) to climb aboard a school bus, fire truck, police cruiser, SWAT vehicle, trash truck, hot air balloon basket and much more. Enjoy a fun-filled day exploring vehicles, meeting local crews, and snapping memorable photos. For those who may be sensitive to noise after 11am, the Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board will have headphones available on a first come, first served basis. A “Sensory Bus” will be on site throughout the event to host a calm, cool and inclusive environment. Admission is free, and no registration is required.

Friends of Hudson Parks

2026 Summer Outdoor Education Series



Wild Hudson is a hands-on, science-focused program designed to get kids outside, exploring and connecting with the natural world right in their own backyard. Designed for kids ages 4 to 10 (an adult must accompany child participants). Programs are led by local educators. All sessions are free of charge but registration is required at www.friendsofhudsonparks.org

One class remains in this summer series for 2026:

• Saturday, August 1, 10am to 11:30am – Insects & Spiders at Hudson Springs Park Galloway Pavilion, 7095 Stow Rd., Hudson (registration opens July 10)

Fun at First & Main

Saturday August 15, 2026

11am to 2pm

First & Main Green, downtown Hudson

A special summer finale is planned for Saturday, August 15. Visit www.firstandmainhudson.com for more details or follow First & Main on social media.

Friends of Hudson Parks: Playground Palooza!

Friends of Hudson Parks’ 2026 Playground Palooza is underway and continues through Sept. 30.

Play on all seven playground areas, the splash pad at Veterans Way Park plus visit the Hudson Springs Park butterfly garden. Complete your Passport by finding that playground area’s symbol post and rubbing each symbol with a crayon or pencil into your Passport, with the date you visited there OR (if you forget your passport), take a photo, then have your child draw in the symbol when you get home.

Playground Palooza is open to children ages 2 through 12 years. Click here to download a Passport with the list and locations of the playgrounds. The first 100 participants to submit completed Passports by Sept. 30 win a free magnifying glass. Prizes can be claimed by turning in completed passports at Vertical Runner, 112 N Main St, Hudson.

New this year: Friends of Hudson Parks is partnering with Hudson Community First and Hudson Preschool Parents to create a “Children’s Guide to Hudson Parks.” Please help them by completing this short survey with your child.

Upcoming Events: Fun & Games

Hudson Farmers Market

Saturdays starting June 6 through October 10, 2026

9am to 12:30pm

Hudson Clocktower and Gazebo Greens

The Hudson Farmers Market is a collaborative, volunteer-run effort dedicated to preserving the unique character of Hudson and providing fresh local products. Hudson Farmers Market is an independent nonprofit organization (not affiliated with or funded by the City of Hudson) managed entirely by civic-minded residents and volunteers. It began as a project of Leadership Hudson (Class of 2006-2007), a program sponsored by The Rotary Club of Hudson Clock Tower. Opened in 2006, the market has grown to host more than 40 vendor tents, all of which represent businesses located within a 100-mile radius of Hudson. Learn more at www.hudsonohiofarmersmarket.org.

First & Main: Screen on the Green

Saturdays, July 18, August 15 and September 6, 2026

Beginning at dusk

First & Main Green, downtown Hudson

First & Main’s Saturday night outdoor movies are free and open to everyone. On July 18, come for Christmas in July to see A Christmas Story. On August 15, it’s Hook. On September 6, Night At The Museum will be showing. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Movies will begin at dusk.

Hudson-Landsberg: Biergarten

Friday, August 7, 2026, 5pm to 10pm

Saturday, August 8, 2026, 12 noon to 10pm

Park Lane Green, 6 Park Lane, downtown Hudson

Say "auf Wiedersehen" to summer break and kick off the school year with a two-day celebration featuring local brews, live music and great company. On tap are selections from Green Valley Brewing and HiHo Brewing Co., including a Landsberger Helles brewed specially for this event. Enjoy live music and puppet shows throughout the weekend. The Rotary Club will be serving fresh bratwurst and hot dogs, and warm pretzels from Reinecker's will be available. Or feel free to bring your own food to enjoy under the trees. Everyone is welcome, including kids and dogs (costumes encouraged).

Hudson Trivia Question #5:

Where in Hudson was there once a bowling alley?

(scroll to the end of this email for the answer)

Hudson Senior Network Classes and Events

Registration is open for wellness classes, page turners, social gatherings and special events hosted on two Wednesdays each month by Hudson Senior Network. Ways to Register:

• Online: Visit https://letstalk.hudson.oh.us/senior-activities for full details and to register.
• Direct Link:  3^rd Quarter Registration Form.
• By Phone: For events and classes at City Hall, call (234) 293-9983 and leave a message. A volunteer will return your call.

All Hudson Senior Network classes, social events, and special events are held in the City Hall Community Rooms, 1140 Terex Road, unless otherwise indicated. Coming up:

• July 22: Hudson Library Adult Services (Snack & Refreshments). 

Also, Seniors are invited to play bocce at 2pm each Friday at Hudson Springs Park, weather permitting. If bocce cannot be played because of weather, gather at Barlow Community Center for board games from 2pm to 3:30pm on Fridays through October.

First & Main: Summer Music Nights



Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and head over to the First & Main Green to enjoy free concerts for the entire family. There will be live music, dancing, raffles, and giveaways on most Friday and Saturday evenings in July and August from 7pm to 9pm. Next up are BackTraxx on Friday, July 17, Back 9 Par 4 on Friday, July 24 and Jump The Gun on Saturday, July 25. Visit www.firstandmainhudson.com for the complete schedule and updates for inclement weather.

Hudson City Schools Foundation: Scramble Fore Soccer

Sunday, August 2, 2026

2pm

Ellsworth Meadows Golf Club, 1101 Barlow Rd., Hudson

The 4^th Annual Scramble Fore Soccer supports the Hudson High School Soccer Program. The outing includes 18 holes with cart, catered lunch and dinner, two drinks, on-course contest and raffle baskets – all while raising money for a great cause. Funds go toward modernizing team gear, updating uniforms, high-impact training equipment, meaningful team-building and program-wide events. Cost is $560 per foursome or $140 per player. To register, go to Scramble Fore Soccer 2026 | Benefit for Hudson High School Soccer

Hudson Trivia Question #6:

In what year did Hudson Emergency Medical Services begin its ambulance service?

(scroll to the end of this email for the answer)

Save the Date

Case-Barlow Farm Fall Fest

Case-Barlow Farm’s Fall Fest is scheduled for Sunday, September 20, 2026. Watch for details at www.casebarlow.com.

The Hudson Players 82nd Season

The Hudson Players’ 82^nd season begins in October. Three shows at Barlow Community Center, 41 S. Oviatt St., are planned:

• A “musical that brings people together” (with a title to be revealed on September 5) will run from October 30 through November 21, 2026;
• Mornings at Seven, a warm, character-driven family story about four sisters and their intertwined lives, will run from February 5 through 27, 2027;
• You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, a gentle, heartfelt musical that celebrates vulnerability, optimism and the innocence of seeing the fresh eyes, runs from April 23 through May 15, 2027.

 Keep an eye on The Hudson Players website: www.hudsonplayers.com

A Look Back to Recent Events

The Western Reserve Community Band entertained a large crowd at the Hudson Ice Cream Social, sponsored by Hudson League For Service, on a beautiful evening on June 12.

At its June 14 meeting, Hudson Society of Artists (HSA) awarded a $2,000 scholarship to graduating Hudson High School senior Dina Abousena. She accepted the award from HSA Scholarship Chair Jane DiLullo.

Hudson has a comprehensive Community Events Calendar!

Hudson Community Foundation has launched Hudson Happenings, a new, all-encompassing community events calendar created in partnership with Hudson City Schools, Hudson Library and the City of Hudson. This new calendar is one place for everything happening around town. From nonprofit programs and community events to school activities and city government happenings, it’s all in one easy, convenient place.

View it online: https://events.hudsonhappenings.org/

Answers to trivia questions in this issue:

#1: Sarah Tracy Barrows, born in Hudson in 1870 to a family associated with Western Reserve College, was a phonetician best known for her pioneering work in the phonics of American English pronunciation and her many applied phonetics publications aimed at public school teachers (1926), speech therapists (1927), actors (1935 and 1938) and immigrants learning English (1918 and 1922). She received her undergraduate degree at Iowa State College in 1891 and a master’s at Cornell in 1893 before further study in Germany. Barrows taught at various universities in the United States and was one of the Foundation Members of the Linguistic Society of America. She died in California in 1952.

#2: According to U.S. Census data, most commuters in Hudson drive alone to work, with the average commute time of 26.7 minutes.

#3: To guess at this answer, email us at celebratehudson@myhcf.org. A fabulous prize will be awarded to a person whose guess is correct. In the event of multiple correct answers, the winner will be selected in a random drawing. Even if you have won previously, you have the opportunity to win again. So don’t hold back.

#4: Anson A. Brewster, a leading retailer in the mid-1800s, was the proprietor of the Brewster Store, located at the corner of Main and Aurora Streets. In 1853, he built a home, known as Brewster Mansion, next door at 9 Aurora St., across from the Clocktower Green. Brewster founded and led the organization of Christ Church Episcopal in 1842 and served as mayor of Hudson in the 1850s. The Brewster Mansion remains today as an office building. Brewster Drive is a residential street in the Plymouth Village neighborhood. And you can toast Mr. Brewster with hot coffee, tea and snacks at the Brewster Café in the Hudson Library & Historical Society.    

#5: In the 1940s, 96 North Main St. (part of where Farmer’s Rail is located today) contained a bowling alley and an arcade.

#6: Hudson Emergency Medical Service began ambulance service in 1977 completely staffed by volunteers. EMS today is staffed predominantly by volunteers and supported by a staff of full- and part-time career personnel. EMS now responds to about 2,400 9-1-1 calls each year.

The answer from last month’s trivia contest (from our

June 9, 2026, issue):

In the June issue, we asked readers to submit their best answer to: What local department store was a staple of life in Hudson from the early 1940s to the late 1980s?

The correct answer: Dodd’s Department Store, founded in 1942 by Hudsonite Louella Dodd. It was, originally located at 148 Main Street in downtown Hudson (the address currently occupied by Keller Williams Chervenic Realty). Dodd’s moved to the newly built Acme Plaza in 1963. Under the ownership and management of Diane Kallstrom, Dodd’s operated in Cambridge Commons on West Streetsboro Road, then moved to the Evaporator Works on Ravenna Street before closing in the late 1980s.

The original Main Street store sold a range of goods, including fabrics in the basement. According to the Hudson Library & Historical Society, “A 1948 advertisement for Dodd's reads: ‘The Sign of Friendly Service, Quality Clothing -- Gifts -- Notions -- Home Furnishings -- Electrical Appliances, The Smartest Little Department Store in Suburban Summit County.’”

The winner of our June trivia contest was Andrea Kinast.

Andrea is seen below displaying her prizes, which represent the four areas of Hudson where Dodd’s once operated:

• Representing Main Street downtown, an insulated tote bag from Hudson Farmers Market, on the Clocktower and Gazebo Greens from 9am to 12:30pm every Saturday through October 10, 2026;
• From Acme Plaza, a $25 gift card for Johnny’s Diner, featuring a fun 1950s-style environment at 180 W. Streetsboro St.;
• From Cambridge Commons, a $25 gift card for Great Clips, offering haircuts and hair care products at 126 W. Streetsboro St.;
• From Evaporator Works, a $25 gift card for Orange Rose Apothecary, which offers natural, sustainable and eco-friendly products and gifts at 51 S. Main St. 

Email us at celebratehudson@myhcf.org with comments, questions or to add your Hudson non-profit organization’s event to future issues of Celebrate Hudson!

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