Downtown Akron’s night sky comes alive with fireworks and the Ohio & Erie Canal will be bathed in pyrotechnics at this year’s annual Lock 3 Holiday Lighting Spectacular, Friday November 25, at 7:00 p.m.
The energetic show with singing and skating marks the official opening of the 8th Annual Holidayfest at Lock 3 presented by FirstMerit Bank and sponsored by the City of Akron.
Local radio personality T.K. O’Grady of WONE will host the evening’s entertainment, featuring:
* Singer Helen Welch, who plays the Akron Civic Theatre with her holiday show, “Christmas Under the Stars” December 17;
* Singer-Songwriter Ryan Humbert, whose 3rd annual “Holiday Blowout” is on the Civic stage December 10 with his rock-and-soul band performing original songs;
* Skater Zachariah Szabo from Richfield, graduate of the University of Akron, 2010 US Collegiate champion and 3-time Midwestern sectional finalist.
The annual fireworks show is sponsored by Downtown Akron Partnership.This year, the City joins the Ohio & Erie Canal Coalition and Summit Metroparks in kicking-off the 2012 recognition of the completion of the canal’s Towpath Trail. Dan Rice, President & CEO of OECC, will speak at the ceremony, as Akron celebrates the landmark towpath with an elaborate display of pyrotechnics stretching along the canal through historic Lock 3.
The half-hour program ends with the lighting of Downtown buildings including Summit County offices, the University of Akron’s Polsky Building, the Schipper building, the Civic Theatre and others in the block in front of Lock 3.
The City of Akron will light its 35 foot Norway spruce using over 4,000 blue LED lights.This year’s tree was donated and cut by Lucas Landscaping.
As part of the evening’s ceremonies, Akron’s own Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. will tap the first keg of its 12 Dogs of Christmas Ale, with samples available following the opening.
The Lock 3 ice rink – the largest seasonal outdoor rink in Ohio – will remain open until 11 p.m., and Holidayfest’s newest attraction – a 150-foot sledding hill, “Reindeer Run,” opens to the public following the lighting ceremony.
For more information and complete schedules of all Lock 3 events, go to www.lock3live.com.
Lock 3 Location and Parking
Lock 3 is located at 200 South Main Street in Downtown Akron, between the Akron Civic Theatre and the O’Neil’s building. For a printable map and detailed driving directions visit www.downtownakron.com. Parking is also free on weekdays after 6 p.m., and on weekends and holidays in all city-owned decks and lots. Park free at the State Street Deck and take the elevator directly to the Lock 3 level.
