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Chapparells Baton & Drum Corps majorettte Mya Saulsberry warms up befor the start of Akron's annual Illuminated Holiday Parade during the first day of Winterblast at Lock 3 downtown. The city kicked off its 21st season with the annual Santa Parade, ice skating, a holiday market and more as the holiday season moves into high gear. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
The 21st season of winter fun in downtown Akron at Lock 3 kicked off Friday with the annual nighttime Santa Parade, ice skating, a holiday market and more as the post-Thanksgiving holiday season moved into high gear.
Archie the Snowman, a relic of Chapel Hill Mall and a nod to holiday seasons past, will be on hand, and the O’Neil’s holiday window displays are on view, featuring classics like the Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan, according to a news release from the city.
Here are some of the views from the parade as it made its way up South Main Street.
Santa waves to the crowd as he makes his way up South Main Street during Akron’s Annual Illuminated Holiday Parade during the first day of Winterblast at Lock 3 downtown. The city kicked off its 21st season with the annual parade, ice skating, a holiday market and more as the holiday season moves into high gear. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Two of Santa’s helper’s wave to the crowd as they pass the Diamond Deli on South Main Street during Akron’s Illuminated Holiday Parade on the first day of Winterblast at Lock 3 downtown. The city kicked off its 21st season with the annual parade, ice skating, a holiday market and more. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Santa waves to the crowd as he makes his way up South Main Street during Akron’s Annual Illuminated Holiday Parade during the first day of Winterblast at Lock 3 downtown. The city kicked off its 21st season with the annual parade, ice skating, a holiday market and more as the holiday season moves into high gear. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Stilt walkers and fairy snow princesses entertained the crowds as they walk north on South Main Street at Cedar Street during Akron’s Illuminated Holiday Parade on the first day of Winterblast at Lock 3 downtown. The city kicked off its 21st season with the annual parade, ice skating, a holiday market and more. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Workers from Mack Ready Mix Concrete put the final touches on as they decorate their truck on South Main Street before the start of Akron’s Illuminated Holiday Parade on the first day of Winterblast at Lock 3 downtown. The city kicked off its 21st season with the annual parade, ice skating, a holiday market and more. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)A Mini Cooper with a Christmas tree and a moving train was one of the many colorful sights along South Main Street during Akron’s Illuminated Holiday Parade on the first day of Winterblast downtown. The city kicked off its 21st season with the annual parade, ice skating, a holiday market and more. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Joe Walsh was back home visiting from Dallas, Texas, and got in the holiday spirit by walking in Akron’s Illuminated Holiday Parade representing Northwest Family Recreation. Winterblast kicked off at Lock 3 downtown as the city celebrated its 21st season with the annual parade, ice skating, a holiday market and more. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)A drumline with Chapparells Baton & Drum Corps plays holiday tunes as they walk north on South Main Street toward Lock 3 during Akron’s Illuminated Holliday Parade on the first day of Winterblast downtown. The city kicked off its 21st season with the annual parade, ice skating, a holiday market and more. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Donna Jivan, left, and Aleaha Verraneault put some last-minute adjustments on their outfits before the start of Akron’s Illuminated Holiday Parade. They were part of a group representing Ellet Community Center. The city kicked off the first day of Winterblast downtown and its 21st season with the annual parade, ice skating, a holiday market and more. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Several colorful floats participated in Akron’s Illuminated Holiday Parade during the first day of Winterblast at Lock 3 downtown, as the city kicks off its 21st season with the annual Santa Parade, ice skating, a holiday market and more as the holiday season moves into high gear. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.
