Fourth of July Weekend Event Schedule
The Fourth of July weekend in Akron will be a four day extravaganza of grillin’ and groovin’ on South Main Street in Downtown Akron with great music from the Lock 3 stage.
Rib, White and Blue, Akron's National Rib Festival is Northeast Ohio’s largest FREE rib burn-off.
Ten rib vendors - the largest number ever - will vie for cash prizes and bragging rights as they travel from around Ohio and Texas, the Carolinas, Kansas City and even Australia. The event begins during the lunch hour Friday, July 1 at 11am, and continues through Monday night, July 4.
For the second year, the City of Akron will feature the Akron Symphony Orchestra in a pops concert on Monday, July 4 with a grand fireworks finale inside Lock 3 at 9:45 pm.
“We had such a great response to our fireworks show last year,” said Mayor Don Plusquellic, “that we decided to host the program at Lock 3 again for a second year.”
In 2010, the city eliminated its traditional fireworks show on the Akron Innerbelt to reduce costs. That year the City opted for a smaller, synchronized, low-to-the ground fireworks display at Lock 3, which played to rave reviews from more than 10,000 people who enjoyed the 2010 display. “Our residents understand that in a time of economic downturn, we are trying to make prudent choices for the city, our residents and our employees,” said the Mayor.
On the Akron General stage during the weekend will be tributes to Bon Jovi, the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and on Saturday, Lock 3 presents the music of “The Boss,” Bruce in the USA, the World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.
On the 4th of July, American music classics begin at 3pm with the River City Jazz Band, and continue with the Brass Band of the Western Reserve (5:30pm.) The Akron Symphony’s program, “American Icons” under the direction of Christopher Wilkins, will even feature cannon fire as punctuation, asking the musical question, “What if Richard Rodgers (like Tchaikovsky) thought a cannon was an instrument?”
ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST FREE RIB FESTIVALS
This year’s Rib, White & Blue Festival has attracted these ten national rib vendors - the most ever:
Aussom Aussie Australian BBQ,Sydney, Australia
Big Show BBQ, Kansas City, Missouri
Texas Pit BBQ, Magnolia Texas
Cowboys BBQ & Rib Company, Aledo Texas
Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ, Mount Laurel N.J.
Carolinas Rib King, Moore S.Carolina
Smoke Shack Columbus, Ohio
Old Carolina BBQ, Massillon, Ohio
Pigfoot BBQ, West Salem, Ohio, and,
Smokin’ Joe's BBQ, Columbus Ohio.
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, inflatable rides in Lock 3 and the “Magical Train” will be doing tours of the Towpath along the canal. Rides are available by purchasing tickets at the site.
MUSIC FROM THE AKRON GENERAL STAGE AT LOCK 3
There will be continuous music during the four day festival including the following performances:
FRIDAY, JULY 1: (Gates Open 11:00am)
WONE’s Rock the Lock
7:00pm The Satisfiers
8:30pm Bad Medicine, A Tribute to Bon Jovi
SATURDAY, JULY 2: (Gates open 11:00am)
3:30 - 5:00 Alex Bevan
5:30- 6:30 and 7:00 - 8:00 Mo Mojo
8:30pm Bruce in the USA, The World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
SUNDAY, JULY 3: (Gates Open 12:00pm)
5:30-6:30, 7:00-8:00 Big House, a Tribute to the Allman Brothers
8:30 Second Helping, a Salute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
MONDAY, JULY 4: (Gates open 12:00pm)
3pm River City Jazz Band
5pm Brass Band of the Western Reserve
8pm Akron Symphony Orchestra Pops with fireworks at 9:45pm.
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. The stage sponsor for a third year is Akron General.
Other sponsors include the Beacon Journal/Ohio.com, the Akron Civic Theatre, Lee Hyder Financial Services, Cutler Homes, Evant Residential Services, G.Stephens Construction, Miller Rental, HfA Advertising, Downtown Akron Partnership, the University Inn at Quaker Square, and the Barley House.
