Release Date: September 7,2022
City Of Akron and Partners Launch Fall In Love with Downtown Akron Campaign
Akron, Ohio, Sept. 7, 2022 — Today, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP), and the City’s Lock 3 announced the Fall in Love with Downtown Akron Campaign to promote the newly expanded DORA, downtown businesses, and engagement with the Main St. thoroughfare. The campaign kicks off this Friday, Sept. 9 and runs through Friday, November 25 when the City will host the Welcome Santa Parade and Tree Lighting, officially launching the winter season in Akron.
“Downtown Akron really offers something for everyone,” said Mayor Horrigan. “There’s arts and culture, music and event spaces, retail venues, amazing bars and restaurants, and so much more. With a newly expanded DORA, we want to welcome our residents and guests to enjoy all that downtown has to offer, and this Fall we have a full slate of fun events and activities for everyone to enjoy.”
President and CEO of Downtown Akron Partnership Suzie Graham said, “The Fall season is a wonderful time to experience downtown. Whether it is your first time visiting, or you frequent the district regularly, you are sure to find a host of great experiences through the Fall in Love with Downtown campaign.”
Launching this Friday is the Fall in Love with Downtown Akron Passport Program. The program includes dozens of downtown businesses! In order to participate, simply pick up a passport at any of the participating businesses, or download and print one here, make a purchase at 10 of those businesses before the end of the campaign on Nov. 25, and make sure to get a sticker at each one you visit. The first 250 people to finish their passport and turn it in will earn a custom downtown t-shirt designed by Micah Kraus. Everyone who completes the passport by the end of the campaign will be entered into a drawing where one grand prize winner will receive a prize package of downtown businesses worth $300. DAP will also award a $25 gift card to one lucky passport finalist each week of the campaign.
Passport participants are encouraged to download the Akronite app for free on Android or Apple devices to earn additional rewards. By shopping at downtown businesses during the campaign, users will earn an additional 10% back for their purchases. To sign up, simply download the app, enter your card information, and start spending at downtown locations. Learn more about Akronite here.
The passport must be completed on/before November 25, 2022. Return your completed passport by mail or drop off to: Downtown Akron Partnership | Greystone Hall | 103 S. High St, 4th Floor | Akron, OH 44308 OR take a photo and email to info@downtownakron.com.
There will also be a Walktoberfest on Saturday, September 17 from 2-8pm from Market St. to Missing Falls Brewery and R. Shea Brewery. There will be street performances along the route including musicians, an axe-throwing booth, and more. Guests are invited to visit any participating DORA establishment for a drink. Cascade Plaza will have lawn games and The Shed will be open for beverages from 2-5pm.
The campaign also includes a fall movie schedule hosted by Lock 3 on Saturdays in October. Movies begin at 7:30pm unless otherwise noted. The movies will be shown at a variety of downtown locations as Lock 3 begins to undergo its transformation. Visit www.Lock3Live.com for movie locations as we get closer!
Sat. Oct. 1 – DORA the Explorer
Sat. Oct. 8 – Disney’s 2021 Cruella
Sat. Oct. 15 – Gremlins
Sat. Oct. 22 – Hocus Pocus (7pm at Cascade Plaza)
Sat. Oct. 29 – Rocky Horror Picture Show
On October 22, DAP will host Fall Fest from 5-9pm in downtown Akron. There will be Trick or Treating along Main Street from 5-7pm, with pumpkin painting, music, fire pits, vendors and more in Cascade Plaza from 5 -7pm. Afterwards stick around for a showing of Hocus Pocus at 7pm at Cascade Plaza.
The Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival will return to Cascade Plaza on Nov. 5 from 12-5pm and celebrate all things we love about the late fall season. The Gilmore Girls inspired coffee festival will have plenty of vendors and of course all the coffee you can drink!
Fall in Love with Akron Photo Contest
In addition to fun events and activities, visit downtown Akron during the Fall in Love with Akron campaign and capture the beauty of the neighborhood in autumn with your best photograph to join the Fall in Love Photo Contest. Your photo should incorporate a recognizable part of the downtown Akron landscape. The contest is from Friday, September 9 through Friday, Nov. 25.
To Enter:
Post your best shot to Instagram, tag @downtownakronpartnership & use #FallInLoveWithAkron. Make sure your privacy settings allow others to see your post. The contest will be judged by 2 downtown art experts, to be announced. First Prize gets a $150 prize package, second place get $100 prize package, and third place gets $50 prize package.
Fall in Love with Downtown Akron is presented by City of Akron, Lock 3, Downtown Akron Partnership, and the Akronite App, with additional support from the Knight Foundation.
There will be a variety of other fall-themed events in downtown Akron throughout the Fall in Love with Downtown Akron campaign and you can find the most up to date info at https://www.downtownakron.com/explore/fall-in-love-with-akron or follow our social media channels for more.