Downtown Akron is proving that wintertime in Ohio — no matter how cold — doesn’t mean hibernation.
One year after Lock 3 reopened to the public, residents and visitors are braving chilly temperatures to enjoy the downtown park and nearby businesses. Ice skating, ice bikes and ice bumper cars are the park’s seasonal attraction, with an average of about 500 people on the rink on weekdays, said Chris Griffith, the city’s downtown operations manager.
That figure doubles on weekends.
“We’re always looking for new partnerships, new ideas,” Griffith said. “Our goal is to bring as many people as we can downtown.”
Up next: Downtown Akron Frost Fest, a new event hosted by the Downtown Akron Partnership, is scheduled for Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Attendees will witness live ice sculpture carvings near the Buchholzer Balcony of Lock 3, participate in a hot cocoa crawl, enjoy live music and more.
“Given that we’re all Northeast Ohioans and understand winter is unpredictable, a winter-themed celebration seemed appropriate,” said Dominic Caruso, communications director for the Downtown Akron Partnership, in an email.
To encourage people to visit more than one location of the event, Caruso said musicians will be placed in downtown restaurants. Also, Rubber City Comics and the Akron Children’s Museum will host character meet-and-greet sessions.
“I think that’s one of the cool things about the programming at Lock 3,” said Suzie Graham Moore, the city’s director of Economic Development. “There’s something for everyone.”
Downtown Akron ice cream shop appreciates draw of Lock 3 events
Multiple businesses are taking part in Saturday’s event, including Chill Artisan Ice Cream.
The ice cream shop’s co-owner, Patrick Jaworski, said events like this help bring in a lot of foot traffic, especially because the shop is located right across from Lock 3.
“We really have been liking what Akron has been doing to kind of draw people more in the wintertime and such,” said Jaworski, whose shop was previously located off North High Street.
“It’s night and day,” Jaworski said of business since his 2019 move and Lock 3 reopening in 2024. “That location was really tucked into the basement. … It was really just not visible. … It’s definitely a huge advantage, we definitely really, really enjoy being here on Main Street compared to that other location.”
Jaworski said his business often collaborates with Lock 3 events, serving ice cream flavors that align with events. Saturday at Frost Fest, Chill will offer a hot chocolate-flavored ice cream with half marshmallow and half milk chocolate.
He’s anticipating a busy day.
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A collaborative downtown effort
The Downtown Akron Partnership produces a physical map that lists downtown businesses. So when visitors depart Lock 3, Graham Moore said they can discover another downtown adventure. Social media is also promoting downtown businesses. For example, an organic, non-paid post on Jan. 6 about Essential Dipped Delights drew tens of thousands of views and dozens of shares.
“Downtown Akron is starting to click in the best ways … a real kind of self-sustaining density of activity and vibrance,” Caruso said. “We’re not quite there yet, but to be able to contribute to the growing positive energy is thrilling.”
Griffith said that, in 2025, more than 200,000 people visited downtown for events between April and October. For a full list of upcoming events, visit https://www.downtownakron.com/.
Lauren Cohen is a community reporting intern for the Akron Beacon Journal and Signal Akron. The position is funded through a grant from the Knight Foundation.