With all the well-deserved hubbub around Akron’s bicentennial this year, I almost forgot that next year the country will celebrate its 250th anniversary, or semiquincentennial (say that five times fast).
While America’s official birthday isn’t until 2026, Ohio is already in the midst of a multi-year celebration. The America 250-Ohio Commission plans to highlight each of Ohio’s 88 counties — and the people and places that impacted the nation’s history.
Last week the commission unveiled the Creativity Trail. The driving trail highlights arts and cultural attractions throughout the state, including five sites in Summit County. Learn more about the trail and see what other sites made the list.
Speaking of the Akron bicentennial, the next installment in the Forgotten History Forum Series is Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the downtown branch of the Akron-Summit County Public Library. Summit County Historical Society President and CEO Leianne Neff Heppner will moderate a discussion about important women in Akron’s history. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the forum begins at 6 p.m. The event is free to attend.
On Friday, celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Ohio Shakespeare Festival’s production of “Romeo & Juliet” at Greystone Hall. When the theater company staged the play in 2018, it was the best-attended show in its 20-year history. Friday’s show is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 to $35 for students and $25 to $40 for adults. Can’t make it this Friday? The show runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through March 6.
Ring in the Lunar New Year on Saturday at Downtown Akron Partnership’s annual holiday celebration. The family-friendly event will feature food, crafts, fireworks and performances from the NIHF STEM Middle School Learners Dragon Dance, the Cleveland Glory Waist Drum Team and the Blooming Flowers Hmong Dance Team. The event is at the Akron Civic Theatre and starts at 3:30 p.m. Performances begin at 6 p.m., and the fireworks show is at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $5 plus fees through Ticketmaster. (Or avoid the $6.80 in fees and purchase tickets at the Civic box office Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Explore products and services from 160 vendors at this weekend’s Akron Home and Garden Show at the John S. Knight Center. Attendees can meet with design vendors, view outdoor displays and shop for products and services. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $12 for general admission; $8 for students, seniors and military; and free for children 12 and younger.
