Gen. Simon Perkins and Paul Williams co-founded the city of Akron on Dec. 6, 1825, with Perkins donating much of the land that would become the Ohio-Erie Canal and the original plots that formed the City of Akron. The canal led to the area’s early industrialization, including farm equipment and sewer pipes, among other clay products. 

Akron’s 200th year begins this December, and the city plans to host activities throughout 2024 and 2025. The Akron Bicentennial Commission, a mayoral advisory board, was established to oversee the planning of the celebration.

The commission is led by Executive Director Mark Greer, who formerly served as small business program manager and administrator of the Great Streets Akron Initiative, and includes 24 other community representatives. 

Akron bicentennial logo
Akron’s bicentennial logo.

Together, the commission and Mayor Shammas Malik formed Akron200 Inc., a nonprofit corporation that will allow the city to receive funds and distribute grants to neighborhood groups to help pay for celebration costs.

The Akron Community Foundation also awarded a $25,000 grant to the bicentennial commission to provide funding for salaries and expenses until permanent funding is set. In March, the commission will deliver a budget for Akron City Council to act upon. 

The Akron200 Inc. board includes: 

  • Chair: Ernest Pouttu, president and CEO of Harwick Standard Distribution Co.
  • Vice Chair: Dr. Cynthia Capers, emeritus dean of the University of Akron College of Nursing.
  • Honorary chairs: Marco Sommerville, former senior advisor to the mayor, and Summit County Probate Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer

The events for the bicentennial will fall into four categories: Akron History, Civic Pride, Innovation, Legacy and Akron. Although the Akron Bicentennial Celebration will take place in July 2025, some events will be held before then. 

Planned events: 

  • Akron Roundtable presentation by Dave Lieberth, Dec. 5, 2024
  • Tuesday Musical Association premiere of an orchestral fanfare for the bicentennial celebration, to be debuted at a concert at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall on April 22, 2025
  • The Akron Bicentennial Celebration, Tuesday through Sunday, July 3-6, 2025
    • Downtown Festival at the Civic Gateway–Lock 3, Lock 4, Main Street
    • Bicentennial Parade, July 5, 2025 

Bicentennial projects:

  • A free exhibit about the 200-year history of Akron is targeted to open spring of 2024 at the Akron History Center. It is being constructed at 172 S. Main St. in downtown Akron.
  • University of Akron Press is publishing an anthology of Akron history. 
  • Katie Beck, co-artistic director of Gum-Dip Theatre and a member of the commission, will direct an outdoor drama planned for Waters Park in North Hill. 
  • Akron Public Schools’ teachers will develop digital materials for teaching Akron history to students. 

Community & service reporter (they/them)
Reegan Davis Saunders is Signal Akron’s community & service reporter. Reegan studied journalism and art at Kent State University, and they are passionate about the intersection of the two disciplines.

Although Reegan grew up in metro Detroit, they have always been an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. After living in Kent the past few years, they are excited to explore more of Akron, especially the coffee shops.

At Signal Akron, Reegan hopes to serve underrepresented communities by creating more accessible content.