by Dorothy Markulis
Reporter
Hudson -- Downtown is going to the dogs, but that's a good thing.
A benefit for the Humane Society of Greater Akron, the Hudson Wine Festival, is slated for July 19 from noon to 8 p.m. and July 20 from
1 to 6 p.m. at First & Main.
This wine festival, according to event organizer Debra Sherman, is the idea of Butch Bartlett, Vue Restaurant co-owner, and Mike Tomaselli, Vue general manager.
"We've been talking about hosting a wine festival since about two weeks after we opened," Tomaselli said. "And we're beginning our fourth year."
According to Tomaselli, the connection with the Humane Society was a natural since the restaurant's "Dog Day Afternoons" were such a hit. He said on those designated days patrons were invited to bring their dogs to Vue for lunch.
"The Humane Society is a good fit for us," Tomaselli said.
He said response has been so good to this premier wine event, he and Bartlett are already planning to do it again next year.
"It's taken on a life of its own," he said.
Chalan Geul, marketing director of the Humane Society of Greater Akron, said her group will have a tent at the event with animals for adoption and various dog-related items for sale.
She said the society was thrilled with the event.
"We've never had a restaurant do this for us before," Geul said. "We can't believe all the hours of planning and manpower involved in this."
Geul said the Humane Society has nearly 400 animals available for adoption.
"We can certainly use the money," she said. "We got 153 new cats in May."
Geul said normal capacity is 125 animals.
Sherman said organizers are hoping to make $25,000 for the animal agency.
According to Sherman, the Wine Festival is family friendly, with live entertainment, international cooking demonstrations and a children's activities tent.
The children's tent is being staffed by TLC Child Development Center and features games, crafts and coloring contest for children from 4 to 12, according to Sherman.
"We will also have vendors on Village Way with animal related products," Sherman said.
Rain will not wash out this first-time event.
"We will have 6,000 square feet of tents set up," Sherman said.
Sherman said 15 wine distributors will bring 250 different wines to the festival.
Tickets for the wine tasting are $20 in advance and $25 at the event. The ticket entitles the holder to entrance to the wine tasting tent, a souvenir crystal wine glass and 10 wine tastings. Ticket holders may purchase an additional 10 tastings for $5.
According to Sherman, tickets are only required for the tasting tent; all the other events are free.
Tickets may be purchased at Vue Restaurant, the Shoe Gallery of Hudson, PostNet, the Humane Society or online at www.summithumane.org/hudsonwine.
Pre-event VIP
auction slated
A silent auction to benefit the Humane Society is set for July 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Vue Restaurant. Tickets are $100 and include hors d'oeuvres and premium wines. Also included is a one-day ticket for the wine-tasting tent.
Auction items include two round-trip air tickets to anywhere in the continental United States, gym memberships, golf packages, and a $750 dinner for four at the Vue. Tickets to the VIP event also are available online.
E-mail: dmarkulis@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3143