With speeches, music and a video message from LeBron James, Akron kicked off its bicentennial Wednesday at the Civic Theatre.
The opening ceremony was the first event in a yearlong celebration that will culminate in a closing ceremony on Dec. 6, 2025 — Akron’s 200th birthday.
Attendees filled the orchestra sections of the theater for the free event, which was open to the public. Emceeing the event was Mark Greer, executive director of Akron 200, the nonprofit that is overseeing the bicentennial.
The ceremony began with four historical reenactors representing important figures from the city’s past. Frank Jackman played General Simon Perkins, who co-founded Akron. A. Neil Thackaberry played abolitionist John Brown, whose family lived in Akron for several years. Hazel Burney Malone performed as Sojourner Truth, who delivered her famous “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech in the city. And Mary Jo Alexander played Gertrude Seiberling, philanthropist and wife of Goodyear co-founder F.A. Seiberling.
The reenactors highlighted their subject’s role in Akron’s history and also promoted some of the upcoming bicentennial events.
It’s going to be a very good year,” quipped Alexander.
Mayor Shammas Malik also spoke, touching on Akron’s history while also highlighting current areas the city excels in, including the polymer industry.
“I’m so proud of this city,” Malik said in his speech.
He also announced that, next year, the city will undergo a logo redesign. The plan is to engage with community members throughout 2025 and hear their thoughts on what the new logo should include before unveiling the logo at the bicentennial closing ceremony.
“I want us to always be thinking about the next 100 [years],” Malik said. He acknowledged that Akron has challenges to face but said he believes “we are a city poised for growth.”
Musical performances, tributes highlight of Akron Bicentennial Opening Ceremony
The evening also featured a celebratory video message from local and state politicians and a speech by LeBron James’ mother, Gloria, who also introduced a pre-recorded message from her son.
“The city taught us resilience, hard work and the power of community,” Gloria James said.
Emma Lieberth Osborn honored her father, David Lieberth, founder and president of the soon-to-open Akron History Center.
Another notable speech came from Hsa Win, 25, who came to Akron as a refugee from Myanmar at age 12. In his speech, Win discussed his experience in Akron and touched on the many contributions immigrants and refugees have made to the city. He also spoke warmly of his own neighborhood, North Hill, which has a large and diverse immigrant community.
“North Hill has a long history of refugees and immigrants, and I just want to highlight that and also share that with everybody, how diverse this North Hill community [is],” Win said later. “I feel very excited. And also, it feels like I am representing the entire North Hill community.”
The night also featured musical performances from pianist Theron Brown, the Firestone Community Learning Center Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the vocal ensemble SACRED. The night ended with a performance from the Akron Symphony Orchestra and Bicentennial Chorus. The two musical groups performed “America the Beautiful” and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
The fourth movement of the symphony, which is commonly known as “Ode to Joy,” features text from Friedrich von Schiller’s poem of the same name. Singer Frank Ward Jr. joined the orchestra and chorus for this section.
Akron Symphony Orchestra Musical Director Christopher Wilkins said they chose the piece for its message of unity.
“It’s essential message is that all human beings, if we act as one, if we can define ourselves as one family, can through that power do extraordinary things here and now in this life,” he said. “So it’s forward looking, but it’s also very much community looking.”
Parade, outdoor drama and festivals part of Akron bicentennial schedule
With the bicentennial season officially underway, Akron 200’s Greer is looking ahead to 2025.
“It’s been a labor of love, heavy on the love but even heavier on the labor,” he said after the ceremony. “All of the performers, the speakers, I think it really, it spoke to people in so many different ways. I think we reached our goal, and it’s a great kickoff to the year.”
Greer touched on many of the bicentennial events during the ceremony. Highlights include the paper lantern festival Light the Locks in April, Tuesday Musical’s bicentennial concert, the debut of a new outdoor drama and the Goodyear Bicentennial Downtown Parade in July.
“It will be the biggest parade Akron has seen in 50 years,” Greer said, noting that he confirmed this with Lieberth, Akron’s de facto historian.
Greer said Akron 200 still needs volunteers to help with bicentennial events and encouraged people to visit its website for more information on how to get involved.
More events will be added to the already robust calendar in the new year. He also touted a beautification initiative that will include planting, cleaning and public art in each neighborhood. Already, volunteers have planted 100 bulbs in the city, he said.
Greer said the organization plans to host events in each of Akron’s 24 neighborhoods.
“We don’t want it to feel like a downtown bicentennial only,” Greer said. “We want it to feel like it’s touching every corner of Akron.”
