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Long weekend vibes are strong—and we’re bringing the fireworks. In this edition, we’re celebrating our country, our town, and even our snacks (looking at you, graham crackers). We’ve got firework logistics, market goodies, moon trivia, a $300K traffic win, wizard symphonies, and a whole lot more.

Here’s what’s lighting up this weekend’s Scoop:

• 🎇 🧨 Red, White & Random — A few fun facts, a touch of history, and some numbers that’ll make you rethink your next hot dog.
• 🍫 National Graham Cracker Day Is Coming In Hot — It’s not just about s’mores (but also... yeah, definitely s’mores).
• 🌕 Moon Watch: It’ll Look a Bit Smaller This Saturday Night — Something lunar is happening, and it’s kind of a big deal.
• 🎇 Hudson Fireworks Parking & Road Closures: What to Know — Before you grab your lawn chair, here’s what you need to plan your night.
• 🚦 Big Win for Better Traffic Flow — Hudson just landed some big-time funding. Here’s what’s coming next.
• 🍓 Saturday Morning Market Scoop: Kid’s Day at the Hudson Farmers Market — Local treats, sweet surprises, and some fun for the little ones.
• 🎆 Hudson’s Fireworks Celebration: What You Need to Know — Time, place, and a few friendly reminders for the big show.
• 🎇 Looking for More Fireworks? We’ve Got You Covered — There are plenty of ways to light up your weekend around Northeast Ohio.
• 🎨 Boston Mills Artfest: This Weekend's Creative Escape — Art, music, and something beautiful nestled in the valley.
• 🪄 Harry Potter at Blossom This Weekend? Expecto Orchestra! — Wizards, music, and movie magic await under the stars.

Ready to Scoop when you are. 👇

🎓 Big Prime Perks for the 18–24 Crowd

With Prime Days coming up July 8–11, we figured now’s the perfect time to spotlight one of Amazon’s best-kept secrets for young adults. If you’re 18 to 24 years old — or know someone who is — you can get Amazon Prime for half the price. And nope, you don’t even have to be a student.

It’s still called Prime Student (branding is branding), and it comes with:

• 🛍️ Full Prime membership perks — fast shipping, Prime Video, Prime Reading, Prime Gaming, and more
• 💸 Just $7.49/month (or $69/year) after a 6-month free trial
• 🍕 Free Grubhub+ delivery
• 🎮 Access to Prime Gaming, photo storage, and exclusive deals
• 💰 Up to 10% cash back during Prime Day with eligible purchases

To sign up, you (or your favorite young adult) just need to verify age with a government ID or student email. After that? All the perks, none of the full-price pain.

👉 Sign up here

Want the full scoop on what’s included? Check it out

This is an affiliate link, so we may earn a small commission if you sign up — at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping support the Scoop!

☀️ The Scoop on Hudson Weather

It’s a sunny, summery stretch ahead — just in time for a festive Fourth and a weekend full of cookouts, fireworks, and backyard s’mores. Temps are on the rise, but so is the chance for some midweek pop-up storms. Hydrate, apply sunscreen, and maybe keep an umbrella within arm’s reach starting Monday.

• ☀️ Today (Friday 7/4) – Sunny, 85°/65° (Picture-perfect for parades, flags, and barbecue smoke)
• 🌤️ Saturday 7/5 – Mostly Sunny, 89°/69° (The kind of heat that screams “more popsicles, please”)
• ☀️ Sunday 7/6 – Sunny, 91°/71° (Hot. Like sidewalk-eggs hot. Stay cool, Hudson)
• ⛈️ Monday 7/7 – Scattered Thunderstorms, 82°/63° (A little post-weekend cool-down, with a chance of rumble)
• 🌤️ Tuesday 7/8 – Partly Cloudy, 81°/63° (Comfortable, breezy, and basically ideal for errand-running)
• 🌦️ Wednesday 7/9 – PM Showers, 83°/66° (Dry morning, damp evening — plan your day accordingly)
• ⛈️ Thursday 7/10 – Scattered Thunderstorms, 81°/63° (Could be a soggy one, but still warm)
• 🌩️ Friday 7/11 – Isolated Thunderstorms, 83°/64° (Storms might pop up, but they’re playing hide and seek)

We’re kicking off July with all the classics — sunshine, heat, and just enough thunderstorm drama to keep it interesting. Keep the SPF and bug spray handy, and enjoy the glow of this long, summer week.

📣 Got a Hudson Business? We’ve Got the Mic

Think of the Scoop like your friendly neighborhood loudspeaker—except less obnoxious and way more fun. Every week, thousands of locals read it to see what’s happening around town. So why not put your business in the spotlight?

We’re not about sleazy ads or “limited time offer!” gimmicks. We tell stories. We shine a light on the good stuff. And if your business has a story (spoiler: it does), we’d love to hear it.

Want in? Just email us. No pitch deck. No pressure. Just a real convo with a team that loves Hudson and wants to see you thrive.

📬 Say hi at [email protected] and let’s get rolling.

📰 Fresh Off the Clocktower

🎇 Happy Fourth of July, Hudson!

Today’s not just about fireworks, lawn chairs, and star-spangled snack trays (though we fully support all of those). July 4th marks the moment we officially declared we were done taking orders from the British and ready to chart our own course. It’s a celebration of bold ideas, hard-won freedom, and the messy, beautiful experiment that became the United States.

So while you're soaking up the sun or lighting a grill that probably hasn’t been cleaned since Memorial Day, here are a few facts to keep the spirit of Independence Day interesting:

• 📜 Independence was technically declared on July 2. Congress voted that day—but the Declaration wasn’t adopted until July 4. (John Adams was convinced July 2 would be the big one. He was wrong. And annoyed about it.)
• 🕯️ Three presidents died on July 4. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both passed away on the 50th anniversary—July 4, 1826. Weird, right? James Monroe followed in 1831. One president—Calvin Coolidge—was actually born on the Fourth.
• ✍️ Only two guys signed the Declaration on July 4. The rest took their sweet time. Shoutout to John Hancock and Charles Thomson for getting it done early.
• 🔍 There’s secret writing on the back of the Declaration. No, not a treasure map—just the words “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776” scrawled upside down. No one knows who wrote it. Probably not Nicolas Cage.
• 🌭 Americans eat around 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth. That’s enough to stretch from D.C. to L.A. five times. So if you’ve already had two, congratulations—you’re carrying the team.
• 🎆 There are about 15,000 fireworks shows across the country. From big city blasts to backyard sparklers, it’s one of the noisiest nights in America—and we’re all in. We'll be covering where to catch some of the best local firework displays later in the issue, so stick around for that Scoop!

So however you're celebrating today—parading, picnicking, or just enjoying a well-earned nap—take a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come since 1776. Here’s to freedom, grilled things, and a hometown that still shows up for all of it.

🍫 National Graham Cracker Day Is Coming In Hot

This weekend, the Fourth of July isn’t the only reason to celebrate. Tomorrow (Saturday, July 5) is also National Graham Cracker Day — and honestly, the timing couldn’t be better. Because if there’s ever a weekend when Hudson’s fire pits are stacked with marshmallows and chocolate, it’s this one.

But did you know this humble cracker has a backstory that’s… kinda wild?

Graham crackers were originally created in 1829 by a Presbyterian minister named Sylvester Graham, who believed that a strict vegetarian diet (featuring bland, whole-grain food) would help people live more virtuous lives. And by “virtuous,” he meant avoiding spicy food, meat… and, uh, sinful thoughts. Yep. The graham cracker was born out of a movement to suppress lust. Bet you’ll never look at a s’more the same way again.

Originally, they were dry, unsweetened wafers made from coarsely ground wheat flour. No sugar, no honey, no cinnamon—definitely no marshmallows. Just crunchy self-restraint.

Fast forward to today, and graham crackers are living their best, most indulgent life. They’ve become a dessert MVP: starring in pie crusts, cheesecake bases, and of course, the holy trinity of s’mores. Add some gooey chocolate and a fire-roasted marshmallow, and it’s safe to say Sylvester would not approve.

So in honor of this quirky holiday and the tasty legacy it unintentionally sparked, maybe go ahead and stock up on those marshmallows. Just, you know… for historical appreciation.

Want to know which graham cracker came out on top in a blind taste test? Hint: the old-school Nabisco originals still slap.

🌕 Moon Watch: It’ll Look a Bit Smaller This Saturday Night

While we’re all winding down from the Fourth of July festivities, the Moon will be doing something cool of its own this weekend. On Saturday night, July 5, it reaches what's called apogee—aka the farthest point in its orbit from Earth.

That means when you step outside on Saturday evening, the Moon will be about 251,400 miles away—almost 30,000 miles farther than usual. And yes, that distance makes a difference!

Here’s what to look for:

• The Moon will appear a little smaller and dimmer than normal
• It’ll still be lovely, just not quite as bold or bright as you might expect

This is all part of the Moon’s slightly squished, elliptical orbit—it moves closer and farther throughout the month, and Saturday just happens to be its most distant point.

And if you’re a night sky fan, keep an eye out: the full Buck Moon is coming up on July 10. But for now, Saturday’s a great excuse to sit outside, look up, and catch our favorite satellite doing its quiet lunar thing.

🎇 Hudson Fireworks Parking & Road Closures: What to Know

The big Independence Day fireworks show is happening this Saturday, July 5, and with it comes the usual flurry of road closures and parking changes around Barlow Farm Park. Here's the rundown so you’re not stuck doing last-minute U-turns in the dark:

🚗 Parking Info

• Handicapped Parking Only: Wood Hollow Metro Park (2200 Barlow Road)
• Public Parking: JOANN Fabrics (5555 Darrow Road) — includes a free shuttle to Barlow Farm Park, provided by Petermann
• Limited Public Parking: Oak Grove Park (also 2200 Barlow Road)

🚧 Road Closures

• Starting at 7:00 PM, traffic will begin to be restricted
• At 9:15 PM, the following roads will fully close:
• Terex Road east of SR 91
• Barlow Road at Terex Road near Hudson Industrial Parkway
• Barlow Road at Ogilby Drive
• Barlow Road to Stow Road (with very limited access)

City crews will have signs and message boards posted throughout the area to help guide traffic and avoid confusion.

If you’re heading out for the show, plan ahead, leave early, and consider using the shuttle if possible. For the full map and official details, click here.

🚦 Big Win for Better Traffic Flow

Hudson just snagged a major infrastructure win—alongside our neighbors in Stow! The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has awarded both cities a $300,000 Transportation Improvement District (TID) grant to help fund a new traffic signal at the intersection of Seasons Road and Allen Road.

Why’s this a big deal? Because that intersection could definitely use some love—and this grant will cover the bulk of the $350,000+ project cost. Hudson and Stow will split the rest and tag-team everything from design to construction.

Design work is expected to wrap up in 2025, with construction kicking off in spring 2026. Hudson will reimburse Stow for its share once the work begins—so yes, teamwork really does make the traffic dream work.

👟 Hudson Seniors: Trips, Clubs, and Fall Fun Ahead!

Heads up, Hudson crew—our friends at the Hudson Senior Network just published their latest newsletter, and it’s filled with ways to stay active, connected, and entertained from now through September.

Let’s talk day trip first: On October 29, there’s an all-day adventure planned that includes breakfast at Grandpa’s Cheesebarn (yes, that's a real place), lunch at Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, a guided stroll through German Village, and a visit to the Motts Military Museum. The $131 cost covers meals, transportation, and admission—and it's open for registration now. You’ll leave from City Hall at 8 AM and return by 7 PM.

Closer to home, there’s plenty happening all summer long:

• Wellness classes like yoga, balance, and line dancing
• The Page Turners Book Club
• Snack socials, Mahjong meetups, lunch & learns, and more

Registration for all programs—including the October trip—is open here. You’ll also find info on everything coming up July through September.

Want the full scoop straight from the source? Their newsletter is posted on Facebook here.

Looks like the season ahead is shaping up to be full of good moves, good books, and even better company.

🧐 Did You Know?

Stay curious, Hudson!

📅 The Scoop To-Do List

🍓 Saturday Morning Market Scoop: Kid’s Day at the Hudson Farmers Market

The Hudson Farmers Market is back this Saturday morning from 9 to 12:30 at the Clocktower Green—and it’s Kid’s Day!

To celebrate, the market has teamed up with Daisy Pops to hand out 50 free Funfetti Star Pops to the first 50 kids who stop by. They're bright, sweet, and shaped like stars—basically everything a Saturday treat should be.

Along with the usual spread of fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, and locally made everything, this week has extra family-friendly energy. It's a great excuse to grab your morning coffee, let the kids snag a cake pop, and enjoy a slow stroll through the booths.

See you there? Get there early—the pops won’t last long.

🎆 Hudson’s Fireworks Celebration: What You Need to Know

The sky’s the limit this Saturday, July 5, as Hudson’s annual Independence Day Fireworks Celebration lights up Barlow Farm Park! This beloved community tradition—presented by the Hudson Community Foundation and made extra sparkly by American Fireworks—is more than just a show. It’s an evening of fun, food, and hometown pride.

📍 Location: Barlow Farm Park, 1965 Barlow Road
🕗 Time: Fireworks begin at dusk
☔ Rain date: Sunday, July 6

🍦 Food Vendors (7:00–10:30 PM):
Look for tasty favorites like Daisy Pops, Henry’s Creamery, Don Patron’s, Cleveland Waffle Co., Pop Culture CLE, Moonstone Coffee Works, and more. Gyros and beverages will be available at the old JOANN’s lot too.

🅿️ Parking + Shuttle Details:
• Handicap parking: Wood Hollow Metro Park (enter from Stow Road)
• Public parking with shuttle: JOANN lot at 5555 Darrow Road
• Limited public parking: Oak Grove Park
• Shuttle buses run 7 PM to post-show

🚫 What NOT to bring:
No personal fireworks, fire pits, alcohol, or glow product sales allowed. Let’s keep it safe and family-friendly.

♻️ Help Clean Up!
Want to give back after the big show? Volunteers are needed for clean-up duty at Barlow Farm Park on Sunday, July 6 at 8:00 AM. It’s a two-hour effort, and all supplies will be provided.
Sign up to volunteer here.

Bring a chair, some bug spray, and your best oohs and ahhs—we’ll see you under the stars!

🎇 Looking for More Fireworks? We’ve Got You Covered

If Hudson’s big fireworks show is on your Saturday night calendar (and it should be), there’s still time to pack in even more sparkly sky magic. Here’s a quick guide to other firework displays lighting up Northeast Ohio tonight and tomorrow, in case you're up for a little red, white, and road trip:

🌆 Cleveland – “Light Up the Lake” (Tonight)
Voinovich Park downtown will be buzzing with balloon animals, face painting, and tunes starting at 5 p.m. The fireworks go off at 10 p.m., right over Lake Erie. Big crowd, big booms, big city vibes.

🎢 Sandusky – Cedar Point’s “Light Up the Point” (Tonight AND Saturday)
If you’re already at the park—or just need an excuse to ride a roller coaster—Cedar Point is doing two nights of fireworks on the beach at 10 p.m. Just don’t drop your funnel cake.

🎶 Akron – Heart of Akron Festival (Tonight)
Live music, vendors, food, and fireworks at 9:45 p.m. right in the heart of downtown at Lock 3. If you like your fireworks with a little funk and funnel fries, this is your spot.

🎤 Berea – Coe Lake Park (Tonight)
Grindstone Festival wraps with fireworks over the lake. It’s a super charming scene with live music and paddleboats. Fireworks start at dusk.

🎯 Bainbridge – Kenston High School (Saturday)
Live music, food trucks, bounce houses, and a full evening of family fun capped off with fireworks at dusk. A great follow-up if you want to stretch your celebrations into the weekend.

🚗 Other shows are popping off in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Mentor, Lorain, Wooster, Middlefield, and more.
Basically, you can’t drive far in Northeast Ohio without finding a lawn chair-worthy light show this weekend.

Go ahead and double-dip—because America only turns 249 once!

🎨 Boston Mills Artfest: This Weekend's Creative Escape

If your ideal July 4th weekend includes fresh air, beautiful views, and a whole lot of art—make your way to Boston Mills Artfest, happening July 4 through 6 from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Tucked into the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park, this nationally recognized art show brings in 150+ artists each weekend from over 30 states. You’ll find paintings, pottery, photography, glasswork, and more—plus live music each day from 11 AM to 2 PM, craft beer and wine, tasty bites, and a charming garden space thanks to Suncrest Gardens.

🎶 Live music lineup

• Today (Friday, July 4): Ben Gage Band
• Saturday, July 5: Ray Flanagan Trio
• Sunday, July 6: Hamker/Guerrier/Renko Trio

Tickets are $16 at the door, or $12 online if you’re planning ahead. Kids 12 and under? Totally free.

So if you’re looking to add a little culture to your long weekend—this is the place to be.

🪄 Harry Potter at Blossom This Weekend? Expecto Orchestra!

If fireworks weren’t enough to light up your weekend, how about a little wand-waving magic under the stars?

This Saturday and Sunday (July 5 & 6), the Cleveland Orchestra is bringing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ in Concert to Blossom Music Center — and it’s the kind of magical evening that would earn a standing ovation from Dumbledore himself.

Here’s the deal: The full film plays on a huge screen while the Cleveland Orchestra performs John Williams’ iconic score live. So yes, you’ll see flying keys, troll encounters, and wizard chess — all while an actual orchestra brings the music to life around you.

🎶 Showtimes:
Saturday, July 5 & Sunday, July 6 at 7:00 PM
🌌 Outdoors at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls
📍 Tickets start around $50 and are still available

Bring a blanket, some butterbeer-inspired snacks, and maybe your favorite Gryffindor scarf (strictly for vibe enhancement). Potter fans and classical music lovers alike are in for a magical evening.

🎟️ Get your tickets here. Lumos not required.

🌟 The Zoo Glows Up

Looking for a summer evening that’s equal parts magical and low-stress? The Asian Lantern Festival kicks off Saturday, July 5th at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo—and it’s an absolute stunner. We’re talking massive glowing dragons, intricate light tunnels, lotus flowers the size of hot tubs, and even a butterfly tree that towers over the crowd like it’s auditioning for Broadway.

The festival runs Thursday through Sunday evenings through August 24, and it’s one of those rare events that’s actually worth the hype. You can stroll through the zoo after dark while 70+ massive light installations turn the paths into an illuminated wonderland. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a live acrobat show or a martial arts performance while munching on steamed buns or bao tacos.

A few things we love:

• There’s a drive-through option on select nights if you're in more of a “air conditioning and snacks” kind of mood.
• Kids under 2 are free.
• There's a Lantern 5K on July 22 where you can jog past jellyfish lanterns and finish with a glowing medal.

It’s colorful, creative, and just the kind of feel-good summer thing that makes you remember why Northeast Ohio is secretly awesome.

Get more info or grab your tickets here.

Glow big or glow home.

⚔️ Step Into a Time Machine (With a Turkey Leg)

If you’re looking for an escape from modern life (and maybe from mowing the lawn), here’s your invitation to travel back a few centuries—no DeLorean required. The Great Lakes Medieval Faire is officially underway, transforming the woods of Rock Creek, OH into a full-blown fantasy village every weekend from July 5 through August 17.

We’re talking knights in armor, queens with booming laughs, artisan booths galore, and the kind of food that requires both hands and a lot of napkins.

Here’s the royal rundown:

• It’s open Saturdays and Sundays, 11 AM to around 6:30 PM.
• Tickets start at about $25 for adults, with great deals for kids and weekend passes.
• It’s about an hour from Hudson—a worthy day trip, especially if you like your entertainment with a side of swordplay.

Why we love it:

• You can watch a joust, then buy a handmade leather satchel and a dragon egg bath bomb five minutes later.
• Over 100 vendors sling everything from hand-blown glass to medieval gear.
• Live shows on 12 stages keep things hopping—think comedy, music, stunt acts, and surprisingly emotional fairy tales.

Pro tips:

• Costumes aren’t required, but they are encouraged. Even if you just wear a flower crown or a tunic over your Target tee, you’re officially part of the shire.
• Wear comfy shoes. It’s in the woods. There will be mud. Leave the stilettos at home, Queen Guinevere.
• Every weekend has a theme—pirates, superheroes, mythical beasts—so check ahead and plan accordingly. (Yes, dogs in costumes are welcome on certain weekends.)

Feeling curious? Get tickets here.

Grab your goblet and your crew—it’s time to get medieval.

🥇 RollHUD Sports Recap

🏀 Big News: The WNBA Is Coming to Cleveland

Cleveland’s sports scene is about to get even louder—in the best possible way. The WNBA just announced that Cleveland will be home to a brand-new team, set to hit the court in 2028. This is part of a major expansion wave that also includes Detroit and Philadelphia, bringing the league to 18 teams by the end of the decade.

And yes, this is huge.

The team will be backed by Dan Gilbert’s Rock Entertainment Group (aka the folks behind the Cavs), and they’ll be playing at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse downtown. Practices will happen at the Cavaliers’ nearby facilities, which means Cleveland’s newest basketball squad will have top-tier everything from the jump.

This also marks a bit of a homecoming: Cleveland had a WNBA team before—the Rockers, who played from 1997 to 2003. Now, we’re getting another shot at building something even bigger, just as women’s basketball is exploding in popularity.

Between the rise of superstar talent (hi, Caitlin Clark), record-breaking attendance, and a new $2.2 billion media deal, the timing couldn’t be better. Cleveland’s addition shows the league is betting big on cities with passionate fans and strong ownership—and let’s be real, we check both boxes.

We’ll keep you posted as details roll out, from the team name and colors to the first roster picks and expansion draft buzz. For now, just know that starting in 2028, you’ll have one more team to cheer for—and a brand-new reason to spend your summer nights in the city.

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📝 Consider Yourself Scooped

From lunar trivia and explosive history lessons to cake pops, classical wizardry, and Prime perks for the Gen Z crowd—this edition was basically a backyard cookout for your brain.

Thanks for reading and making Hudson feel like a community that still shows up (with folding chairs and glow sticks in hand). If you enjoyed this edition of the Scoop, share it with someone who’s fully prepared to duel over the best spot to watch fireworks. Until next time...

Support local, spread kindness, and stay awesome. 💙