News

Sep 08, 2023

Greater Akron's 2023 festival, fairs and special event schedule so far

It's not too early to begin planning for all the major festivals and events

It's not too early to begin planning for all the major festivals and events ahead in 2023.

A few events are right around the corner.

Some events and festivals are still being finalized so those events are not listed as the dates are not yet set.

And the revamping of Akron's Lock 3 Park that was home to a fair number of summer events is forcing organizers to rethink some events.

Akron's Pizza Fest over Labor Day is relocating to the parking lot bordering Bowery Street and the Akron Civic Theatre.

Suzie Graham, president and CEO of the Downtown Akron Partnership, told Akron City Council that a plan is in the works to move some festivities and concerts to under the State Street bridge.

This area near Lock 3 Park is home to the city's winter celebration including the ice rink. The city has not yet announced its event and festival plans for 2023.

Here is just a sampling and is by no means a complete listing of all of the fairs, festivals and special events coming up this year in Greater Akron.

The Riverfront Irish Festival in downtown Cuyahoga Falls will be June 9 to 11. The festival features two stages with entertainment, an Irish Market Place with traditional Irish and American fare along with an Irish Mass on Sunday. For more, visit riverfrontirishfest.org.

The Bath Art Festival will be June 10. The annual event features food, entertainment, and arts and crafts in the Bath Community Park. For more, visit www.bathartfestival.com.

Vintage and collectible cars and dads are the highlights of the annual Father's Day show at the historic Stan Hywet Hall in Akron. The event features some 400 classic, antique and collector cars manufactured from 1915-1997. The featured class this year is air-cooled automobiles Franklins to Volkswagens to Corvairs. Motorcycles will be back this year. For more, visit www.stanhywet.org.

Wadsworth honors its industrious past and lights a giant match at its Blue Tip Festival. The event that starts June 20 features a parade, entertainment and food and activities. The event pays homage to the Blue Tip Match factory. For more, visit www.bluetipfestival.com.

The Boston Mills Artfest, is returning after a hiatus during Covid.

Marking its 49th season, the arts event that features some 300 juried artists will be held over two weekends June 23 to 25 and June 30 to July 2 at the Boston Mills Ski Resort.

For more, visit bmbw.com.

The Senior Players Championship now known as the Kaulig Companies Championship returns to Akron's famed Firestone Country Club July 12 to 16. The top senior golfers from around the world will be in Akron to compete in the event.

The Akron Arts Expo will return to Hardesty Park July 22 and 23. The expo boasts more than 100 artists along with entertainment and food. For more, visit akronartexpo.com. Hardesty Park is located at 1615 West Market St.

The FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship will return for its 85th championship week. Some 400 racers are expected in Akron starting July 16 culminating in the championship races on July 22. There will be a variety of activities throughout the week at Derby Downs. For more, visit soapboxderby.org.

The Summit County Fair kicks off fair season in Greater Akron. The fair will run from July 25 to 30. There will be a variety of racing events in the grandstand. For more, visit summitfair.com.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2023 will be enshrined in Canton in August. The festivities include a variety of events and activities. The Hall of Fame Game is set for Aug. 3, with the enshrinement ceremony on Aug. 5. The Concert for Legends featuring Zac Brown will be Aug. 5. For more, visit profootballhof.com.

The Medina County Fair will be from July 31 to Aug. 6. This year's fair will include a demolition derby and a bull riding exhibition. For more, visit www.medinaohiofair.com.

Seeing double is usually a bad thing. The whole point of the Twins Days Festival on Aug. 4 to 6 is celebrate all things twins in the city of the same name. The festival features twin-related contests, a parade, food, entertainment, rides and even fireworks. For more visit, twinsdays.org.

The Props and Pistons Festival will return to the Akron-Fulton Airport Aug. 19 to 20. The event will feature aircraft displays, along with a car and motorcycle show. There will also be aerial displays by aircraft. For more, visit flyohio.wixsite.com/papf.

The Hale Farm Civil War Reenactment returns to do battle on Aug. 12 and 13. The historic village in Bath Township becomes home to encampments of Union and Confederate soldiers who recreate famous battles from the war. This is the largest such gathering in the state. For more, visit visit www.wrhs.org.

The Portage County Fair is set for Aug. 22 to 27 this year. This is one of the area's largest gathering of agricultural related events and competitions. For more, visit randolphfair.com.

Akron's Pride Festival is set for Aug. 26 in downtown Akron. The festival is still finalizing its plans for 2023.

The Art on the Green will be held Aug. 26 to 27 in Hudson. The art show will mark 49 years this year. This year's event will be at its new location at JOANN Fabric's corporate headquarters, 5361 Darrow Rd., in Hudson. For more, visit hudsonsocietyofartists.com/art-on-the-green.

The Akron Pizza Fest will be held over Labor Weekend Sept. 1 to 3.

With the construction in Lock 3, organizers say the event is being moved just north to the parking lot bordering Bowery Street and the Akron Civic Theatre. Friday night's performer will be the Led Zeppelin-tribute band ZOZO as part of the "Rock the Lock" after work party.

The Stark County Fair returns Aug. 29 to Sept. 4. This is one of the biggest fairs in northern Ohio. For more, visit starkcountyfair.com.

The streets in and around Akron will be full of runners and supporters Sept. 30 for the Akron Marathon.

This is crowning conclusion of the Akron Marathon Race Series and starts at 7 a.m.

Billed as a foot tour of Akron, the course starts downtown and crosses the All-America Bridge and makes it way past landmarks including the Akron Art Museum, the University of Akron, Firestone Park, the Towpath Trail, Sand Run Parkway, Stan Hywet Hall and through Highland Square.

For more visit, akronmarathon.org.

Craig Webb can be reached at [email protected].