Taste of Akron and the Akron Art Expo will once again take over Hardesty Park (​​1615 W. Market St.) in the Wallhaven neighborhood.

The free annual festivals are hosted by the City of Akron’s Recreation and Parks Department. 

Taste of Akron is Thursday, July 25, from 5 to 9 p.m. Guests can sample food from more than 30 vendors and food trucks while listening to musical performances from Eric Everett Jazz: Elation! and Timi FUNK.

Taste of Akron is Thursday, July 25, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Hardesty Park.
Taste of Akron is Thursday, July 25, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Hardesty Park in Wallhaven. Guests can sample food from more than 30 vendors and food trucks while listening to musical performances from Eric Everett Jazz: Elation! and Timi FUNK.

Here’s a complete list of the food vendors that will be at Taste of Akron:

MsCotti’s Biscotti & Scones
Happy Camper Bar Car
Papa Johns
Akron Honey
NORKA
Authentic Nigerian Kitchen
Saffron Patch
City Barbeque
Big Deal Whitfield
Urban Gourmet 
The Breakfast Box
Essential Delights 
The Pierogi Lady
Fat T’s Cookies
Nothing Bundt Cakes
D & M Grille 
Smash Time 
Southern Thangs
Bereka Coffee
Cookery 
Dr. Hibachi 
Thai It Up
Uncle Bacon’s BBQ 
Henry’s Creamery
Da Bayou
Sip N Lick
The Eccentric Panda
D-Bo’s Grill
Twisted Grill & Grind
Eddies Famous Cheesesteaks
Birdies
Big Blue BBQ by Stray Dog
Cookies BBQ
Johnny Lóte’s Latin Street Corn 

Akron Art Expo to feature artists from across the country

This year marks the 45th year of the Akron Art Expo. The festival takes place Saturday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The festival will feature food vendors, live entertainment, children’s crafts and activities, and of course, art from more than 100 juried exhibitors selling a variety of artisan-made wares. The artists represent several different mediums including ceramics, textiles, painting and jewelry.

Akron Art Expo will also offer Sip ’n Paint sessions at 1 p.m. on both days of the festival. Guests who sign up for the two-hour class will enjoy a refreshing beverage as they create a floral painting. Those interested in taking part in one of the sessions must register ahead of time at akron.recdesk.com. The fee for the class is $25.

Art Expo performers:

DEK of Hearts
Symphonic Winds
Magnificent Goat Brothers
Northwest Community Center Dancers
FizzStix

Art Expo food vendors:

Bereka Coffee
Johnny Lóte’s Latin Street Corn 
NORKA
S&N Eats 
Marty & Lynn’s Concessions
Kernels by Chrissie
D-Bo’s Grill
Akron Honey
The Breakfast Box

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.