Akron Celebrates Bicentennial & July 4th This Weekend

Akron Celebrates Bicentennial & July 4th This Weekend

It’s going to be a very big weekend here in Akron, as the City celebrates both its Bicentennial and July 4th ,with the “Heart of Akron” Festival, downtown.

Taking place July 3, 4, and 5 at Lock 3, the free public event is a three-day celebration packed with live music, mouth-watering food, dazzling fireworks, a special Sample the City tasting event, and Akron’s Bicentennial Downtown Parade presented by Goodyear. It’s a tribute to Akron’s past, present, and future—featuring everything we love about our city.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik calls the Heart of Akron Festival, which runs from 11AM to 11PM each day, “a unifying celebration that encapsulates Akron’s talents, creativity, heritage, and unique offerings.”

The event is part of the city’s ongoing, citywide celebration of its 200th anniversary this year, and Bicentennial Executive Director, Mark Greer says “We’re proud to partner with the City on the Heart of Akron Festival for what will be a dynamic weekend of events and celebrations that will long be remembered.”

Entertainment Lineup

Thursday, July 3

11AM – 11PM Lock 3 open with a variety of Festival Food Vendors*
12–2 PM: JT’s Electrik Blackout
3–5 PM: Apostle
6–8 PM: Shane Vain & The Village Vandals
9–11 PM: The Shootouts

Friday, July 4

11AM – 11PM Lock 3 open with a variety of Festival Food Vendors*
12–2 PM: Umojah Nation
3–5 PM: Akronauts
6–8 PM: Nikki D & The Sisters of Thunder
9–11 PM: Off Leash
9:45 PM: Fireworks Spectacular!

Synchronized with 91.3 The Summit. Enjoy a grand fireworks show in Downtown – visible from Main Street, Lock 3, and the Akron RubberDucks game at Canal Park!

Please note: The city is NOT planning to shoot off fireworks in any neighborhood locations this year.

While the state of Ohio passed legislation allowing residents to set off fireworks on particular holidays, Akron passed an ordinance (O-150-2022) maintaining the city’s ban on setting off commercial or consumer grade fireworks without a permit. Residents are reminded it is not legal in city limits to set off these types of fireworks.

Saturday, July 5

10 AM – Akron Bicentennial Downtown Parade, presented by Goodyear, with WAKR’s Ray Horner as Parade Emcee

Witness Akron’s biggest parade in the past 50 years! With an all-new parade route to mark our City’s 200th Anniversary, this will be one of the Bicentennial’s Signature Events of the year, not to be missed!

Listen now as Ray talks about it with Bicentennial Executive Director, Mark Greer:

11AM – 11PM Lock 3 open with a variety of Festival Food Vendors*
11 AM – Akron Bicentennial Homecoming Event
The “Feature the Future” Exhibition, presented by Bridgestone will highlight technologies, innovations, opportunities and developments from a variety of industries and sectors currently at the forefront in our city/region, and those on the horizon. Exhibitors will also share available opportunities (jobs/internships/programs/services).
11 AM–7 PM: The Summit 91.3 Live Stream with Chad Miller
2 PM-6 PM Sample the City – Foodie local tasting event**
3 PM Bicentennial Time Capsule Opening
7:05PM – The Akron RubberDucks will host the Bicentennial Bobblehead Night at their home game, which will honor legendary NASA astronaut and engineer, Judy Resnik. Get your tickets here.
7–8 PM: Flocco Torres
8:30–10:30 PM: The Vindys
*A Feast of Local Flavors

Fuel your fun with food from Akron’s best vendors including four returning rib vendors complimented by a host of options to tempt your tastebuds.

Festival vendors include:

The Smoothie Stand & Co, Southern Comfort Kitchen, HomeMade Delites, Grill Masters, The Food Depot, Lady T’s Soulfood, After Hours BBQ, Pigfoot BBQ, tray Dog, Blue BBQ, Akron Pickle, Buzzy Bee Ice Cream, Bubblegum Concessions, Eddie’s Cheesesteaks, DonutNV, Novelty Ice Cream, and many more!

**Sample the City – A Foodie Experience

Saturday, July 5 ONLY| 2 PM–6 PM
Get a taste of Akron—literally! Join us for Sample the City, a delicious, indoor, ticketed food tasting event featuring bite-sized signature dishes from over a dozen local culinary artists and restaurants. Tickets are $40 and quantities are limited, so grab yours while they last!

Sample the City takes place at Lock 3, inside the lower level of the historic O’Neil’s building.

Tasting Vendors Include:

Soul Bowl 330, Prepped By Sharina, Tasteful Expectations, The Juice Hive, Cookies BBQ, Epiphany Mushroom, Authentic Nigerian Kitchen, Bob’s Hamburger, Majestic Tails, Merriman Valley Pizza, The Peanut Shoppe, Buzzy Bee Rolled Ice Cream, Gurka Curry House, Double T’s BBQ, La Reina Boricua, Akron Pickle, Hartville Chips, and Stray Dog.

Tickets for Sample the City available at: https://ayrs.io/pED5Kh or at the door while supplies last

FAQs

Will there be multiple July 4 fireworks shows?
No, the City is hosting one Bicentennials fireworks show in Downtown Akron. It will be visible downtown from Main Street, Lock 3 and Canal Park Stadium. You can tune into 91.3 The Summit to hear a special fireworks soundtrack synchronized to the show!

Is there an admission fee for the festival?
No, admission to Lock 3 is free.

However, the Sample the City food tasting event is ticketed. It is an indoor event with tickets available at https://ayrs.io/pED5Kh or at the door while they last. Admission to Canal Park Stadium for the Akron RubberDucks Game and view of the Fireworks is also ticketed.

Where can I park?
Parking in City-owned decks is free after 6 PM weekdays, on July 4th holiday, and all-day Saturday and Sunday. See downtown parking options here.

Will the streets be closed?

Main Street will be closed minimally on July 4th in preparation for the fireworks, and only during the parade on Saturday, July 5th. High Street will also be closed during the parade. For the best experience, we suggest taking a look at the parade map attached for the route and closures in advance to help you navigate the day of. We also recommend planning to arrive early.

How early should I arrive to see the parade, and where should I stand?

The Bicentennial Parade begins at 10 am, so if you are a spectator, plan to arrive before 9:30 am to park and find a good place for your family to watch the parade. The parade route will leave 10 N. Main Street at 10 am, travel up E Market Street, down High Street to Buchtel Ave, West on Buchtel and return to 10 N. Main via Main Street. This is not the usual parade route, so give yourself extra time to make your way downtown. You can view the parade from either side of High Street between Market and Buchtel Ave, on Buchtel between High and Main, or along Main Street between Buchtel (Canal Park Stadium) and Cascade Plaza.

What can I bring into Lock 3?

For the safety of all, the following items are strictly prohibited inside Lock 3: