On June 5, 2009 Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic welcomed the Italian-American Societies of Summit County to Lock 3, and pledged the city’s support to make the Societies’ 62nd annual Summit County Festival July 10-12, the biggest such event ever.
"We were approached by the Societies last Winter," said the Mayor. "This Festival occupies a special place in the lives of so many of our residents, that we wanted to do everything possible to make the 2009 Festival something special."
In the expanded footprint of South Main Street between State and Bowery and the Lock 3 venue itself, there will be more space for vendors, crowds, entertainment, and games. Just last year, the City of Akron completed work on two bocce courts at Lock 3 thanks to Project Evergreen, making them ready for use by "professional" tournament players this summer.
"Everything about Lock 3 and Downtown Akron is perfect for our Festival," said Lou Maglione, the volunteer chairman of the event. "We will be taking advantage of all the facilities Downtown has to offer, including the Civic Theatre, Quaker Square, and Canal Park Stadium.
New to the Festival this year will be a Sunday concert at the Civic by nationally-known tenor Daniel Maimone of New York whose grandparents live in Akron; and a car show on Sunday, 12 - 4pm, in front of Canal Park.
"I am pleased to announce today," said Maglione, "that we have also secured the famous Anheiser-Busch Clydesdales for our Festival." Budweiser’s show horses will available for photographs Saturday afternoon and will be harnessed for a parade on Main Street on Sunday.
Typically, attendance at the Italian-American Festival exceeds 60,000 people. "We are ready for the crowds," said Mayor Plusquellic. Downtown will have over 10,000 free parking spaces to accommodate the crowds, shuttles from remote surface lots, and plenty of Downtown ambassadors - supplied both by Akron Police and the Downtown Akron Partnership to welcome guests and provide directions.
A complete schedule of events for the three day festival is attached, and available at the Council’s website, www.it-am.org.
July becomes JULIVE! in Akron this summer, with 4 weekends of family fun.
Mayor Plusquellic also welcomed area residents to attend the region’s largest 4th of July food festival, "Rib, White & Blue," July 2-4, an Akron tradition for over 30 years. This year’s festival has more rib vendors than ever before, along with the Rebirth Brass Band from New Orleans, and other stage performances. The July 4 fireworks are the largest in the area, over the Akron Innerbelt. The weekend closes with an Akron Symphony concert at Lock 3 on Sunday. See www.lock3live.com for a complete listing.
On the third weekend of July, the 4th annual National Hamburger Festival will take over South Main Street and Lock 3, featuring "1984," the Beatles Tribute. Go to www.hamburgerfestival.com for details.
Akron’s Hardesty Park hosts the annual Akron Arts Expo on July’s last weekend, July 23-26. www.akronperforms.com.
In 2008, Lock 3 set record attendance during its summer season of 130,000, a record that is certain to be exceeded in 2009. With the winter ice skating rink at Lock 3 and Chriskindl Market (attendance 80,000 in 2008), since Mayor Plusquellic opened Lock 3 in 2003, over 750,000 people have enjoyed events at the downtown entertainment venue.
Need info on where to park when you're Downtown for a festival? Parking is FREE in all city owned decks and lots after 6 pm on weekdays and all day on weekend.
Lock 3 Stage
6 PM La Flavour
8:30 PM Hotel California - Eagles Tribute Band
Main Street
5 PM Don Disantis
7 PM GeezeCats
Street entertainment provided by Mike Tricaso
Lock 3 Stage
1pm Opera Per Tutti
3:30 PM Good Fello’s Show Band
6 PM Ray Massa's EuroRhythms
9 PM The Sands Trio - a Tribute to the Rat Pack
Main Street
3PM I Gigliardi Italian Dancers
4:30 PM Anthony Rolando & Valerie Vacco
7 PM Morra Tournament
8:30 PM Frank Gallo
Street entertainment provided by Mike Tricaso
Under State Street Bridge
2:00 PM Women's Bocce Tournament
Civic Theater
6:00 PM Vina Italia - Food & Wine pairing
Lock 3 Stage
11:00 AM Catholic Mass
1:00 PM Danny Mazzocco
4:00 PM Cavaliere Reale
7:00 PM Ron Chick Band
Main Street
1:00 PM Pizza Tossing with Mike Sheperd
1:30 PM Pizza Eating Contest
2:40 PM Pizza Tossing with Mike Sheperd
3:00 PM Thaddeus Rex - Children's Show
4:45 PM I Musici d’Italia
6:30PM Gene Fiocca
Lock 3 Event Space
12 - 5pm Spaghetti Dinner
Sunday, July 12th Noon to 9:00pm
Canal Park
Noon - 4PM CAR SHOW
Civic Theater
3:30 PM Daniel Maimone
Advance tickets only at the Civic Box Office
Under State Street Bridge
2:00 PM Men's Bocce Tournament
156 S. Main St
5:00pm Homemade Wine Competition
