This Independence Day, Akron turns 200—and we’re throwing a birthday party like no other! The Heart of Akron Festival, taking place July 3, 4, and 5 at Lock 3, invites the community to gather for 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.
Set in the heart of downtown at Lock 3—Akron’s beloved central park and gathering space—the festival will showcase local pride, talent, and flavor daily from 11 am to 11pm.
Saturday, July 5
- 10 AM – Akron Bicentennial Downtown Parade, presented by Goodyear – 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!
- 11AM – 11PM Lock 3 open with a variety of Festival Food Vendors*
- 11 AM – Akron Bicentennial “Feature the Future” Exhibition, presented by Bridgestone – The Feature the Future exhibition, which will highlight technologies, innovations, opportunities and developments from a variety of industries and sectors currently at forefront in our city/region, and those on the horizon. Exhibitors will also share available opportunities (jobs/internships/programs/services) Located between The Maynard Performance Pavilion and The Akron Childrens Museum in Lock 3.
- 2 PM-6 PM Sample the City – Foodie local tasting event**
- 3 PM Bicentennial Time Capsule Opening
- 8:30–10:30 PM: The Vindys
For more information, click HERE!
