If you’re anything like me, you’re wondering where the summer months went. When did it get to be September? I didn’t spend nearly enough time outdoors enjoying the warm weather all of the fun activities going on in the area.
It might be September, but it’s still gorgeous outside and Downtown Akron will be full of great activities to enjoy this weekend (both indoors and outdoors)! Come enjoy one of the outdoor activities or come for an indoor activity and grab dinner at one of the great Downtown Akron restaurants that offer patio dining.
The weekend festivities kick-off today with The Market at Lock 3 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Come down to Lock 3 for a great selection of fresh produce, baked goods, chocolate, jams and art.
Barley Fest, an all day music festival on Main Street in front of Barley House, takes place from 2 p.m.-12 a.m. Barley Fest features 11 Bands: David Ullman, Pete N., Randy H., Tom Evanchuck, Operations, Zack, Tropidelic, Get On Up, Mifune, Ashes & Red Wanting Blue. Tickets are $10 at the door. Also enjoy beer, Cornhole, beer bong, food & tattoos! Proceeds benefit Akron Mobile Meals and Aluminum Cans for Burned Children.
Also enjoy live music Waterband and George Harrison Ford Explorers at Musica and The Numbers Band at Northside on Friday night.
Saturday is the first University of Akron Zips home game at the new InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field. Come Downtown to park for FREE, check out the Downtown Draft Party and take a shuttle up to the stadium. The Downtown Draft Party takes place from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Paul Williams Ave. (off of W. Exchange) and features live music, juggling by B. Roddy, caricature drawings by Kari Fry, an appearance by the Rubber City Rollergirls, food and drink specials at local bars and restaurants! Buy a “Downtown Akron & The Zips” t-shirt for $5 or a Downtown Draft Cup for $1 and fill it with Miller Lite for only $2.50 on all Zips home game days from open until 9 p.m. at participating bars. Lots of other Downtown bars and restaurants are also offering special promotions. Visit www.downtownakron.com/zips for everything you need to know about Downtown Akron on Zips game days. Shuttles to and from the stadium will be available. Check out the route at www.downtownakron.com/zips-shuttles.
Enjoy a FREE viewing of Coal Country at the Akron Civic Theatre on Saturday night at 8 p.m. Coal Country tells of the dramatic struggle around the use of coal, which provides over half the electricity in America. In Appalachia, miners and residents are locked in conflict: is mining and processing coal essential to providing good jobs, or is it destroying the land, water and air? What does this mean for the rest of America and the world? Join the after-party at Ohio Brewing Company from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. featuring live bluegrass music by Sawgrass. Visit www.coalcountrythemovie.com for more information.
On Sunday, the Red Cross Ride for the Red through the Cuyahoga Valley starts at 1 p.m. at Liberty Harley Davidson in Boston Heights and ends at Lock 3 in Downtown Akron complete with food, vendors and live entertainment! Enjoy music by Dark Side of the Moon, a Pink Floyd tribute band, vendors, beer, food, raffles, merchandise and games. Visit www.downtownakron.com/event/ride-for-the-red1 for more information.
The Akron Aeros are in the Eastern League playoffs! They won the first two games vs. the Reading Phillies in the Division Series and play their third game tonight at the opposing team’s field. If necessary, the fourth game will be played at the opposing team’s field as well. The fifth game, if necessary, is scheduled for this Sunday at Canal Park at 7:05 p.m. Check out www.akronaeros.com for up-to-date information on the Akron Aeros playoff schedule. Tickets are available online for only $6 when you enter the promo code: playoffs.
Hope you find something to enjoy in Downtown Akron this weekend!
Lisa Knapp, Communications Director, Downtown Akron Partnership