Fri 6/30-Tue 7/4 @ 11AM-11PM
Last year, Akron’s big annual July 4th weekend event, the Rib White and Blue Festival at Lock 3 downtown, was abruptly cancelled in the wake of the June 27 killing of Jayland Walker by Akron police following a traffic stop and the ensuing demonstrations.
Now it’s back. The police were acquitted (of course) back in April, enough time for things to settle down. So the gates at Lock 3 will again open for five days, as rib vendors from Ohio and other states compete to take the title of “best ribs.”
There’ll be plenty of other food for non-rib fanciers, as well as nightly performances by a variety of tribute bands headlining — but go for the openers, local bands who play their own distinctive music. On Saturday July 1, the intriguingly eclectic global rock of the Angie Haze Project performs and, on Monday July 3, there’s reunion of Kent’s high-energy ska/rockers The TwistOffs who packed rooms in the ’80s and ’90s and whose style is performed by countless young bands today.
The event is open from 11am-11pm each day, a lot of time to indulge in all the food available. And you’ll want to stick around on Tuesday July 4 when the downtown fireworks at place around 9:45 m after the Rubber Ducks game. Admission is free every day.
Akron, OH 44308