Akron General to Sponsor Lock 3 Fireworks Finale to Symphony Pops
The Fourth of July weekend in Akron will be a four day extravaganza of grillin’ and groovin’ as the city celebrates the 35th anniversary of its annual Independence Day festival.
For the first time since 1975, there will be no fireworks display over the Akron Innerbelt on the 4th of July, but thanks to corporate sponsor Akron General, the weekend will still close out with a “bang” when the Akron Symphony pops concert on the Lock 3 stage closes with a fireworks finale. The display of pyrotechnics will be shorter and less explosive than the traditional fireworks show downtown - but will be especially fun for children.
“Cancelling the 4th of July fireworks display over the Innerbelt was a difficult choice,” said Mayor Don Plusquellic. “But most of our residents seem to understand that in a year of economic turmoil, we are trying to make prudent choices for the city, our residents and our employees.”
"We are very proud to participate in this year's 4th of July festivities," said Dr. Jack Mitstifer, president, Inpatient Services, at Akron General. "Akron General is strongly committed to supporting our community in a variety of ways. We hope everyone enjoys the show."
This year, the city has been relying on sponsors to assist it in underwriting family-friendly events at Lock 3 and in its parks. “I’m very pleased that Akron General has stepped forward to make the 4th of July at Lock 3 extra special,” said the Mayor.
One benefit of sponsor participation is that the 2010 July 4 festival – as with most events at Lock 3 this summer - will have free admission every day of the festival.
Food Festival
This year’s Rib, White & Blue Food Festival is attracting a couple dozen vendors from six states to Main Street in Downtown Akron, beginning with the lunch hour on Thursday, July 1.
Gates open at 11 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and open at noon on Sunday as the region’s rib specialists compete for top bragging rights and cash prizes.
Returning this year to the annual rib fest are Carolina Rib King, Old Carolina Barbeque, Smokin Joe, Texas Pit, Two Fat Guys, Big Boned BBQ, Cowboy's BBQ and the Smoke Shack. New to the Lock 3 celebration in 2010 are Totally Cooked BBQ and Guy's BBQ.
In addition to barbequed pork and chicken favorites, the festival also features fresh roasted corn, gyros, Italian sausage, blossom onions, funnel cakes, Birch Root Beer and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
There will also be mechanical rides for children on Main Street, and the “Magical Train” will be doing tours of the Towpath along the canal through Lock 3. Rides are available by purchasing tickets at the site.
Music from the Akron General Stage at Lock 3
The Akron General Stage at Lock 3 will host a special Thursday night “Rock the Lock” show with ZOSO, a Tribute to Led Zepplin, sponsored by WONE.
On Friday, July 2 the group “Sharp Dressed Man “will do some southern-fried rockin’- a tribute to ZZ Top.
The Saturday, July 3 lineup includes:
3:30 p.m. - Singer/songwriter Alex Bevan
5:30 p.m. - Local favorite, Zach
8:30 p.m. - Hotel California, the Original Tribute to the Eagles, which packed Locked 3 at its 2009 performance.
Sunday July 4: American Pop Classics
3:30 p.m. - Akron & District Pipe Band
5:30 p.m. - The Brass Band of the Western Reserve
8:00 p.m. - Akron Symphony Orchestra Pops, including an Armed Forces Salute, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, John Phillip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes” and concluding with a grand fireworks finale at 9:45pm, sponsored by Akron General.
It’s “JULIVE!” with a festival every weekend:
July 9 - July 11- The Italian American Societies Festival, Lock 3
July 17-18 - The 5th annual National Hamburger Festival for the benefit of Children’s Hospital, Lock 3
July 22-July 25 - Akron Arts Expo, with the “Taste of Akron,” and 160 juried exhibitors. Hardesty Park.
Sponsors Make Free Entertainment Possible
Lock 3 entertainment in 2010 is supported by a grant from the John S. And James L Knight Foundation, with marketing support from the Tramonte Distributing Co. and Coca Cola distributors.
Other sponsors include the Beacon Journal/Ohio.com, the Akron Civic Theatre, Lee Hyder Financial Services, Evant Residential Services, G. Stephens Construction, Miller Rental, HfA Advertising, Downtown Akron Partnership, the University Inn at Quaker Square and the Barley House.
