Attendees at this year's Ice Cream Social will enjoy two new attractions designed to appeal across generations according to Hudson League for Service President Barbara Bos. They will add new dimensions of art and music to the event.

With the support of Hudson Fine Art and Framing, artists will set up their easels around the historic Green to compete in a quick draw contest lasting 2 hours. Assistants will be positioned with each artist to answer questions about the French Plein Air tradition of painting a scene in the open air with little or no studio time. From 7:30 to 8:00 the public will be able to vote near the Clocktower for their favorite painting, and beginning about 8:15 the works will be auctioned.

As Kathy Johnson of Hudson Fine Art explained, all of the competing artists are professionals whose works can sell in the hundreds of dollars. The quick draw competition and auction will give bidders the opportunity to purchase unique fine art at a very reasonable price. The gallery is contributing to the League for Service scholarship fund that rewards high school seniors for exceptional volunteerism.

Musical entertainment has always been a part of the Ice Cream Social with regular appearances by the Hudson Community Band. This year, the program will expand to include Case Sensitive, a local progressive rock style band. The band, whose main influences include Frank Zappa, Yes and King Crimson, has been featured at Akron First Night, the Kent Heritage Festival and most recently at the Hessler Street Fair on the Case Western Reserve University campus. Band members include Lucas Kadish on guitar; Anthony Minerovic, bass guitar; Chris Carlson, saxophone and keyboard; and Julia Minerovic on drums. They will appear at the Gazebo at approximately 8:30.

"Of course," said Co-Chair Rosanne Thomas, "the mainstays of the Ice Cream Social will continue. We are just reaching out to new participants to make this a true community event." It will still include games, face painting, and custom balloon animals for the young children as well as the dunk tank and popular cake walk. Little Leapers and the Hudson Community Band will also entertain at the Gazebo.

The Ice Cream Social will be held on Friday June 19th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Advance tickets may be purchased for $3.00 at the Learned Owl. Same day tickets will also be available for $4.00 near the Flag Pole. All profits from the event go to the League for Service grants program to offer yearly scholarships and support other local volunteer service organizations.

The League itself hosts the monthly Barlow Community Blood Drive, the Book Fair, and Caroling on the Green. League members also perform Pre-school Vision Screening. New volunteers are always needed. For information on the Hudson League for Service, contact President Barbara Bos at 655-7658 or at www.hudsonleagueforservice.org