Mayors Corner – Mayor Jeffrey L. Anzevino

Anniversaries, Businesses & Holiday Extravaganza

As you may have seen or heard, the city of Hudson turned 225 years young this year. David Hudson and a group of explorers traveled from Connecticut in the Spring of 1799 and arrived to this area in June of that year.  As he stood in Great Lot #55 in the center of town, David Hudson put in motion the plans to begin the first settlement in Summit County. He mapped out the village to be based on a typical Connecticut town around a central, common green.

This year also marks the 175th anniversary of the Hudson Fire Department. Established in 1849, Hudson had the first volunteer fire department in Summit County, as well as the first fire department to have a horse-drawn pumper, motorized engine and female volunteer firefighter. Congratulations and thank you for your service to our community.

2024 also celebrates the 40th anniversary of Hudson’s sister-city partnership with Landsberg am Lech in Germany. While the two cities have had a relationship since the 1970s, the sister-city partnership was officially declared in August of 1984. Credit is given to Roland Winzer for having both the vision and determination to help connect our cities and people. Danke Schön und glückwunsch.

Over this past year, residents and visitors to Hudson may have noticed renewed business investment in our city. Our town is now home to new restaurants, a craft brewery, a chocolate shop, a new boutique, doctors’ offices, a corporate distribution headquarters and a new design center. We also celebrated new ownership of restaurants and bakeries, hair salons, retail stores, real estate offices and fuel/service stations. Several of our existing business owners continued to commit to Hudson by opening new locations or completing significant renovations. More information about the ribbon cuttings and celebrations from this last year can be found on the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce website. Our local merchants and businesses are vital to a strong local economy and a vibrant downtown. Please consider living, loving and buying local right here in our charming and historic city of Hudson, Ohio.

On a final note, this year’s Lighting of the Greens on Nov. 29 will again be expanded with even more activities for the entire family. Appropriately named Hudson’s Home for the Holidays Extravaganza, this year will again include a special lighting of the green ceremony and countdown in addition to a holiday sweater contest with prize baskets, caroling on the green, photo opportunities, food trucks, candy canes and cookies. The event will start at 4 p.m. on the Gazebo Green in downtown and the 76th Lighting of the Green countdown will take place at approximately 5:15 p.m. Come join us for this fun, festive, year-end holiday tradition. Much appreciation and thanks go out to the Hudson Community Service Association’s Holiday Lighting Committee, Hudson League for Service, the Hudson Community Chorus, the Hudson Community Foundation and the city of Hudson staff and colleagues. Thank you for your support and collaboration.

Cheers and salute.