City of Akron’s Lock 3 and Akron Bicentennial Commission Announce the Heart of Akron Festival for July 4th Weekend

This year, as Akron celebrates its 200th birthday, the City of Akron and the Akron Bicentennial Commission have joined together to host the Heart of Akron Festival over Fourth of July weekend to celebrate the best of Akron’s local art, music, and food into one dynamic event. The Heart of Akron Festival will take place from July 3-5, 11am-11pm in Locks 3 and 4 along Main Street in downtown Akron.

The festival invites residents and visitors alike to savor a diverse range of culinary delights from local vendors while enjoying the musical stylings of a wide array of local bands. The event will also feature vibrant art installations that showcase the creative spirit of Akron’s community. There will be a grand fireworks display on July 4 in downtown Akron, bringing the community together to celebrate Independence Day and the Goodyear Bicentennial Downtown Parade on July 5 at 10am featuring the largest parade in the City of Akron in over 50 years.

“The Heart of Akron Festival serves as a unifying celebration that encapsulates Akron’s talents, creativity, heritage, and unique offerings,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. “We’re excited to team up with the Akron Bicentennial Committee to host this special weekend for our residents and guests alike as we celebrate everything Akron has to offer.”

"The Bicentennial Signature Celebration Week seeks to bring all of Akron together, not only as we commemorate our city's 200-year history, but in looking ahead to a vibrant future as we continue to chart our path forward,” said Mark Greer, Executive Director Akron 200. “We're proud to partner with the City in the Heart of Akron Festival for what will be a dynamic weekend of events and celebrations that will long be remembered."

Akron Bicentennial Signature Celebration Week

The Akron Bicentennial Signature Celebration Week will take place July 1-5, 2025, highlighted by the Heart of Akron Festival, and culminating with the Goodyear Bicentennial Downtown Parade and the Bridgestone Homecoming Event on July 5.

Immediately following the Bicentennial Parade, attention will shift to Lock 3, where the Bicentennial Homecoming event will be held, presented by Bridgestone. Themed "Feature the Future," this exhibition will be a live Akron lookbook highlighting the industries, innovations, technology, advancements, and opportunities for investment that are currently at the forefront, and those on the horizon throughout the region. Exhibitors from a wide variety of sectors will participate in the exhibition and showcase their latest developments. The current time capsule will be opened at this event.

Later that evening on July 5, the Bicentennial will partner with the Akron RubberDucks for the Bicentennial Bobblehead Night at their home game, which will honor legendary NASA astronaut and engineer, Judy Resnik. This night is part of the Bicentennial Bobblehead Series with the RubberDucks, which will also honor Akron's founder, General Simon Perkins, on Saturday, May 24, and the first African-American Poet Laureate, Rita Dove, on Saturday, August 23. 

Music

Admission to Lock 3 is free each day of the festival. See below for the full line-up of musical acts set to take the stage at the Maynard Performance Pavilion:

Thursday, July 3

12-2 pm         JT's Electrik Blackout3-5 pm          Apostle Jones6-8 pm          Shane Vain & The Village Vandals9-11pm          The Shootouts