Fri Feb 03 2012
by Tim Troglen
Reporter
Hudson -- Unlike some area communities where the skies will remain dark for Fourth of July celebrations, the skies of Hudson will burst with colorful explosions and echo with bomb-like blasts on July 2.
While some northeast Ohio cities like Akron, Fairlawn, Euclid and Elyria have canceled firework displays for this year due to budgetary constraints, Hudson is moving forward with plans for its celebration thanks to volunteers and community donations.
The show will be just after sunset July 2 at Barlow Farm Park.
The rain date is July 3. Parking is available at Oak Grove Park on Barlow Road, Little Tikes and JoAnn. Handicap parking is available at Little Tikes.
"Oak Grove Park and Little Tikes parking can only be approached from the Stow Road direction," said Jan Gusich, a member of the Hudson Community Foundation board. "There will also be a shuttle bus from JoAnn to Barlow Farm Park."
The Hudson Community Foundation, for the fourth year in a row, is helping to fund the fireworks. It has raised just more than $150,000 for this year's display and future shows.
The cost of the display is between $30,000 and $35,000, Gusich said.
American Fireworks gives the city "an amazing value, with a deeply discounted program for the Hudson show," Gusich said.
The city pays for police and fire services at the event, said Jody Roberts, city communications manager. However, the display is funded by HCF.
"Most of the area community fireworks shows have traditionally been funded out of city budgets, which we all know are under strain these days," said Bill Sedlacek, HCF board member and chairperson of the fireworks committee. "The Hudson Independence Day fireworks are totally dependent on donations from residents and the business community, without which there would be no fireworks show in Hudson."
HCF stepped into the role of fundraising for the fireworks display four years ago when Hudson's fireworks display was canceled due to a lack of funding, according to Sedlacek.
The foundation is working to raise $500,000 for an endowment fund in order to reduce the need for annual fireworks fundraising, he said.
"Fundraising is progressing well," Sedlacek said. "Residents continue to support the fireworks in a very big way -- over 80 percent of Hudsonites who gave last year also gave again this year, and the majority did so at a higher rate."
The show will be similar to other years, Sedlacek said.
"The display will be high altitude and last approximately 30 to 40 minutes," he said. "We have an excellent partner in American Fireworks who take great pride in putting on a fantastic show for their hometown."
With Akron and Fairlawn canceling their shows, the Hudson display will "be one of the biggest ones in the area," said Roberto Sorgi, manager of American Fireworks, 7041 Darrow Road, which will orchestrate the show.
"Being in our hometown, it's a special show to us -- we put a lot of extra effort into it," Sorgi said.
The fireworks display brings the community together, Sedlacek said.
"The fireworks show is one of the events and activities that take place in the community throughout the year in which people come together in a spirit of goodwill and neighborliness to share in a sense of community and pride," he said.
"People stop me all the time telling stories of how they come together around town for picnics and parties to watch the fireworks.
"It is gratifying to read the many notes we receive back along with resident donations which tell us how much people appreciate the fireworks -- the evening of the fireworks in and around Barlow park is teaming with thousands of people enjoying a fantastic evening."
Local business and foundations continue to donate to the Hudson fireworks display despite the challenging economy, according to Sedlacek.
Sponsors for this year's event include Fortec Medical, University Hospitals Hudson Health Center, Heinen's, the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation and First Merit.
Other local businesses have found creative ways to raise funds.
Great Clips matches donations made in the shop, and North End sponsors a wine-tasting event to benefit the fireworks, Sedlacek said.
For information about the Hudson Community Foundation or to make a donation to the fireworks fund, contact Hudson Community Foundation, P.O. Box 944, Hudson, OH 44236 or visit www.hudsoncommunityfoundation.org.
E-mail: ttroglen@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3146
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