Thu 7/3-Sat 7/5 @ 11AM-11PM
Akron has long hosted a July 4 weekend festival downtown at its Lock 3 facility, but this year’s event is going to be different — and much bigger. That’s because this year Akron is celebrating its Bicentennial and the Heart of Akron Festival is its centerpiece. Events will be taking place all day and evening at Locks 3 and 4 and all along Main Street.
There will be many food and drink options, art installations created by local artists, an outstanding lineup of top area talent, a fireworks show on July 4 at 9:45 (or later if the Rubber Ducks baseball game runs long, as baseball games sometimes do), and, on July 5 at 10am, what they’re saying is the largest parade in Akron in more than 50 years: the Goodyear Bicentennial Downtown Parade. The parade will be followed by the Bridgestone Homecoming Event at Lock 3, an exhibition showcasing industry, technology and investment opportunities in the city. A time capsule will be opened during the event.
Music is a big part of the festival, with stellar lineups of talent at Lock 3. Akron country/Americana band The Shootouts, who have been making a national splash for the last few years with extensive touring, charting albums and appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, will headline from 9-11pm on Thursday July 3, with Akron’s funky jazz group JT’s Elektrik Blackout at noon-2pm, Cleveland’s soulful rock ensemble Apostle Jones from 3-5pm and Akorn’s “punk-a-metal-billy” rockers Shane Vain & the Village Vandals from 6-8pm.
Akron Reggae band Umojah Nation kicks things off Friday July 4 from noon-2pm, followed by the Akronauts from 3-5pm, Nikki D & the Sisters of Thunder from 6-8pm and OFF LEASH, the young punk rockers formerly known as Detention, headlining at 9-11pm as the fireworks explode in the background.
On July 5, Akron hip-hop artist Floco Torres performs from 6-8:30pm and bluesy Youngstown rockers The Vindys, who’ve recently toured extensively with Pat Benatar, playing from 8:30-10pm.All the music is free so you can spend more money on food, which they promise will include everything from typical fair food to gourmet offerings.
Get more information about all these events here.