Akron is turning 200, and the city is celebrating all year long with bicentennial events through December. From neighborhood gatherings to a weeklong celebration, there’s something for all Akronites to enjoy.
We’ve rounded up a variety of the events happening in the spring and summer. We’ll update the list as more information becomes available. For more Akron bicentennial events, visit akron200.org.
Akron History Center Grand Opening
April 5, 1-5 p.m. | Akron History Center (172 S. Main St.)
Explore the new museum that traces the city’s history from its founding by Simon Perkins and Paul Williams to the present day. Free, akronhistorycenter.org
Bicentennial Light the Locks
April 5, 8-9 p.m. | Downtown Akron
The Ohio & Erie Canal will be aglow with lantern boats for this event in conjunction with the Downtown Akron Sakura Festival. Guests can light lanterns to remember loved ones and celebrate new beginnings. Free, akron200.org
Tuesday Musical Bicentennial Concert
April 22, 7:30-9 p.m. | E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall (198 Hill St.)
Experience the world premiere of “Festive Fanfare (For Akron’s Bicentennial),” written by composer Peter Boyer, who will also conduct the piece, and performed by the brass and percussion sections of The Cleveland Orchestra. The evening’s program will also feature Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” $19-$49, akronconcertseries.org
Forgotten History Forum Series
April 29, 7-8:30 p.m. | Akron Art Museum (1 S. High St.)
Join Jenn Kidd, executive director of The Nightlight, for a discussion about the history of Akron cinemas. A Q&A session will follow the forum. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Free, eventbrite.com
Age-Friendly Akron-Summit County Celebration
May 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Quaker Station (135 S. Broadway St.)
Attendees can learn about community programs available to adults 50 years and older at this event. Also on the schedule: a keynote address from Ohio AARP Director Jennifer Carlson and a panel discussion featuring Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. Parking and brunch are included with admission. Register by May 5. $20, akron200.org
John Brown’s 225th Birthday Ceremony
May 9, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
akron200.org
Celebrate Akron! Bicentennial Series: Maribel Pérez Wadsworth
May 15, noon to 1 p.m. | Quaker Station (135 S. Broadway St.)
Join Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, president and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, for this discussion. The topic will be “The Power to Create Change Is Not Lost — It’s Local.” $35 (includes lunch). akronroundtable.org
A Revolutionary Barrel of Fun: The History of Dearest Enemy
May 16, 6:30-8 p.m. | Akron-Summit County Public Library (60 S. High St.)
100 years ago, a new musical comedy by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart had its world premiere in Akron in honor of the city’s centennial. Revisit the historic production with a lecture from American Musical Productions Executive Director Joseph Rubin. And be sure to attend the 200th anniversary production of “Dearest Enemy” on June 21, at the Goodyear Theater. Free, services.akronlibrary.org
Forgotten History Forum Series
May 20, 6-8 p.m. | Akron-Summit County Public Library (60 S. High St.)
Brad Savage, program director for The Summit FM, will moderate a discussion about Akron’s punk and new wave music scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The forum will be followed by a Q&A session. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Free, eventbrite.com
The BLVD Block Party
June 7, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Kenmore Boulevard
This family-friendly event will start with the Kenmore Cowbell 7K Walk/Run at 8 a.m., followed by a parade at 10 a.m. Other events and attractions throughout the day include a petting zoo, a TikTok dance contest, canoe rides at Summit Lake, a pop-up art gallery and live music, plus inflatables, games and crafts for kids. Free, betterkenmore.org
“Dearest Enemy”
June 21, 7-9 p.m. | Goodyear Theater (1201 E. Market St.)
This musical comedy is set in New York during the American Revolution and follows Betsy Burke and Sir John Copeland, lovers on opposite sides of the war. When the production debuted in Akron 100 years ago, the Akron Beacon Journal called it “the biggest theatrical innovation on record here in the past 100 years.” Online registration for tickets will open next week. Free, akron200.org
Celebrate Akron! Bicentennial Series: Akron Innerbelt
June 26, noon to 1 p.m. | Quaker Station (135 S. Broadway St.)
Join Siqi Zhu, director of planning and urban technology for Sasaki, and Mordecai Cargill, co-founder and creative director of ThirdSpace Action Lab, for a discussion about the Innerbelt. The City of Akron selected Sasaki to transform one mile of the abandoned highway. $35 (includes lunch), akronroundtable.org
Bicentennial Kickball Tournament
June 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Firestone Stadium (1575 Firestone Parkway)
akron200.org
Downtown Festival at Civic Gateway
July 3-6 | Downtown
akron200.org
Akron Bicentennial Downtown Parade
July 5, 10 a.m. to noon
Get ready for Akron’s biggest parade of the past 50 years. Organizations and businesses interested in participating have until July 1 to register. Volunteer opportunities are also available. Free, akron200.org
Bridgestone Bicentennial Homecoming “Feature the Future”
July 5, noon to 2 p.m. | Lock 3
akron200.org
Akron RubberDucks vs. Erie SeaWolves
July 5, 7:05 p.m. | Canal Park (300 S. Main St.)
In honor of the bicentennial, there will be a Judith Resnik bobblehead giveaway. Stick around after the game for fireworks. $5-$26, milb.com
Forgotten History Forum Series
July 15, 6-8 p.m. | Akron-Summit County Public Library (60 S. High St.)
Jon Miller, director of the University of Akron Press, will moderate a discussion about a new Akron history anthology. Free, akron200.org
3-on-3 basketball tournament
July 19 | Lock 3
akron200.org
Outdoor historical drama
July 31 to Aug. 3 | Waters Park (140 Olive St.)
akron200.org
Forgotten History Forum Series
Aug 12, 6-8 p.m. | Akron-Summit County Public Library (60 S. High St.)
Free, akron200.org
Akron RubberDucks v. New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Aug. 23, 6:05 p.m. | Canal Park (300 S. Main St.)
The team will take the field wearing the uniforms of the Akron Black Tyrites, a Negro League baseball team from the 1930s. In honor of the bicentennial, the RubberDucks will honor Akron native and former poet laureate of the United States Rita Dove, the first Black person to hold the title. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Rita Dove bobblehead. Stick around after the game for fireworks. $7-$29 (includes fees), milb.com
Bicentennial Pickleball Tournament – Competitive Division
Sept. 7, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Shaw JCC (750 White Pond Drive)
akron200.org
Forgotten History Forum Series
Sept. 9, 6-8 p.m. | Akron-Summit County Public Library (60 S. High St.)
Free, akron200.org
Bicentennial Pickleball Tournament – Recreational Division
Sept. 14, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Shaw JCC (750 White Pond Drive)
akron200.org
Celebrate Akron! Bicentennial Series: Akron Innerbelt
Sept. 18, noon to 1 p.m. | Quaker Station (135 S. Broadway St.)
Join Charles Marohn Jr., founder and president of Strong Towns, for a discussion about the history of housing policy and how it affects the current housing crisis. $35 (includes lunch). akronroundtable.org
Bicentennial Soap Box Derby Race
Sept. 19 | Derby Downs (789 Derby Downs Drive)
akron200.org
Day of Play, Celebrating Iconic Akron Toys
Sept. 26-27 | Akron Children’s Museum (51 W. State St.)
akron200.org
Forgotten History Forum Series
Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m. | Akron-Summit County Public Library (60 S. High St.)
Free, akron200.org
Forgotten History Forum Series
Oct. 28, 6-8 p.m. | Akron-Summit County Public Library (60 S. High St.)
Free, akron200.org
Forgotten History Forum Series
Nov. 18, 6-8 p.m. | Akron-Summit County Public Library (60 S. High St.)
Free, akron200.org
Celebrate Akron! Bicentennial Series: Brett Crozier
Nov. 20, noon to 1 p.m. | Quaker Station (135 S. Broadway St.)
Join Brett Crozier, CEO of LTA Research. $35 (includes lunch). akronroundtable.org
Forgotten History Forum Series
Dec. 2, 6-8 p.m. | Akron-Summit County Public Library (60 S. High St.)
Free, akron200.org
Closing Ceremony
Dec. 6, 6-8 p.m. | Lock 3 (200 S. Main St.)
akron200.org
