The City of Akron is pulling out all the stops for a week-long bash celebrating its 200th year, with festivities kicking off July 3. The centerpiece event, the Heart of Akron Festival, set to take place at Lock 3, will entertain locals with live music, a variety of food options, and a spectacular fireworks display on Independence Day. Akron Mayor Shammas Malik lauded the upcoming celebrations as a convergence of the city’s "talents, creativity, heritage, and unique offerings," according to a statement obtained by the City of Akron. Overlaying these celebrations is Akron's Bicentennial Downtown Parade, courtesy of Goodyear, on July 5, promising to be Akron's grandest parade in half a century.
In preparation for the bicentennial celebrations, municipal offices will shut down on July 4, with a pause also affecting curb service for the holiday. However, services will resume the following day after a one-day hiatus. The Bicentennial Signature Celebration Week isn't just about the past; it's a launchpad for the future, as stated by Mark Greer, Executive Director of Akron 200. Greer emphasized the initiative to not only honor the city's history but also to set the stage for its continued growth and development.
A special treat for history buffs and Akron aficionados will be the sale of "Akron at 200: A Bicentennial History." This hefty tome will be available at a discounted price during Bicentennial week at the Akron History Center, listed at a celebratory $35 instead of the regular $50. Featuring 427 pages of Akron’s journey through two centuries, it's both an homage and a chronicle for the city’s descendants to treasure.
However, those with an appetite for more than just knowledge can indulge in a gustatory extravaganza, with over a dozen local vendors ready to serve up their signature dishes at Sample the City, an indoor food tasting event. Tickets are limited and are being sold for $40 each, with the event taking place on July 5 at Lock 3's historic O’Neill's building. Acts like Umojah Nation, Shane Vain & The Village Vandals, and The Shootouts will fill the city with music, free of admission charges, as part of the entertainment lineup for the celebratory weekend.
For the fireworks aficionados, a special synchronized display will light up Downtown Akron at 9:45 p.m. on Independence Day, accompanied by tunes from 91.3 The Summit.
