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City Lines Up Brand New Parade for Kids

Ballplayers Step Off This Saturday

More than 1,200 youngsters will be lining up for Akron’s new All-American Baseball & Softball Parade Saturday, May 15 at 11 a.m.

“The different organizations have been great,” said Akron’s Community Event Coordinator Brittany Schmoekel.  “They’ve understood that we needed to consolidate all of the various neighborhood baseball parades into one, giant parade to save money.  And they’re excited because now this is a big parade for them!”

Schmoekel says teams will be coming from North Akron, Goodyear Heights, Ellet, Kenmore and West Akron Little League.

Main Street will be shut down to traffic at 10:50 a.m. for the parade, which will step off rain or shine at Main and Cedar streets downtown and run north along Main to Bowery.  The route will head west on Bowery and end behind Lock 3. 

The City of Akron Recreation Bureau will present trophies immediately following the parade from the stage at Lock 3, and 98.1 WKDD will announce each parade unit from the judges’ stage located near the end of the parade route on Main Street across from Lock 3. 

Each participating baseball or softball player will receive one wristband to be used to redeem a free lunch (hot dog, chips, and beverage) at Lock 3 following the parade.  Food and beverages will also be available for purchase.

Activites at Lock 3 After the Parade

  • Activities will run from 11:30 am – 2 p.m.
  • Awards ceremony on stage immediately following the parade
  • Aeros Players on site for photos and autographs
  • Akron Racers players on site for photos and autographs
  • Costumed characters including Frankie & Hamlet from Sugardale, Gilby, Orbit, and Buck the Acme dog
  • Free lunch and raffle ticket for players marching in the parade
  • Food and drinks available for purchase
  • Music and games provided on stage by Beach Boyz Entertainment
  • Games or activities provided by each organization – Ellet, North Akron, Kenmore, Goodyear Heights, and West Akron Little League
  • Prime Time Sporting Goods will have a speed pitch machine plus equipment and apparel for sale.
  • Free behind the scene tours of Canal Park the Aeros Stadium from 12 – 1:30 p.m. (meet under the bridge for tours – signs will be posted.)  Tours last approximately 15 minutes.
  • Kids can enjoy the Obstacle Course, Moon Walk or Titanic Slide for one ticket each or bounce around in the Bungee Trampoline for five tickets. Tickets: 1 ticket/$1, 6 tickets/$5, 12 tickets/$10, 25 tickets/$20


Prizes, Prizes, Prizes
Prizes include: use of a loge for an Akron Aeros’ game, prizes from the Cleveland Indians, bikes, entertainment packages, and more.  Each youngster in the parade will receive a free raffle ticket to enter to win the raffle item of his or her choice. Winners must be present to receive prizes.