As we head into March and the promise of warmer days, we’ll start to see even more events — especially outdoor ones — happening in and around Akron.

Speaking of outdoor events, the 42nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off from Cedar and South Main streets Saturday at noon. The parade will continue northward on Main Street to Bowery Street. Expect to see school bands, local businesses and nonprofit organizations, floats and more. If you’re coming downtown that day, note that South Main Street between Bartges and Mill streets will close at 11:50 a.m. for the parade. It will reopen no later than 2:30 p.m.

Here are three more events happening this weekend.

Maple Sugar Festival returns, plus two more events

You’ll want to act fast if you want to see Weathervane Playhouse’s latest production, “Jersey Boys,” this weekend. The Tony award-winning musical tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and features iconic songs such as “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” A handful of tickets remain for the shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $20 to $40. Can’t snag a seat this week? “Jersey Boys” runs through March 30.

This weekend in Akron number 2

Meet local authors, attend panel discussions and pick up a free book at Saturday’s Akron Book Fest at the downtown branch of the Akron-Summit County Public Library. Now in its third year, the festival will feature more than 75 authors, publishers and booksellers. There will also be eight panels and workshops throughout the day for guests of all ages. For more kid-friendly fun, visit the children’s section for book- and art- related activities. Free ARCs (advanced reader copies) will also be available to attendees while supplies last. Akron Book Fest runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to attend.

Hale Farm & Village’s Maple Sugar Festival and Pancake Breakfast kicks off Saturday for the first of three weekends this month. Guests can enjoy a pancake breakfast, see maple tree tapping and sap boiling demonstrations and explore the historic 1800s farm. The festival is Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission to Hale Farm plus the pancake breakfast is $25 for adults and $16 for youth ages 3-12. Fees are applied if tickets are purchased online. Admission for Western Reserve Historical Society members and active-duty military is $10, and those tickets can be purchased in person.

Culture & Arts Reporter (she/her)
Brittany is an accomplished journalist who’s passionate about the arts, civic engagement and great storytelling. She has more than a decade of experience covering culture and arts, both in Ohio and nationally. She previously served as the associate editor of Columbus Monthly, where she wrote community-focused stories about Central Ohio’s movers and shakers. A lifelong Ohioan, she grew up in Springfield and graduated from Kent State University.