Season 9 at Lock 3 Brings Even More Fun Family Festivals and a New Stage ‘Presence’
Northeast Ohio’s largest rib festival, Akron’s premier craft beer festival, fireworks, hot bands and cold beverages all will “rock the lock” this summer as the City of Akron’s Lock 3 delivers its 9th season of free entertainment in Downtown Akron.
Since its opening in 2003, Lock 3 has welcomed 1.3 million visitors to the city’s entertainment venue for summer concerts and winter ice skating.
“Lock 3 has become a big part of life for people who live and work in Akron,” said Mayor Don Plusquellic. “While we’ve had to cut expenses during this recession, we’ve been pleased that so many private sponsors have stepped forward to invest in the high quality, family-friendly entertainment that the city offers for no cost or low cost to our people.”
Akron General returns as the Lock 3 Stage Sponsor, and visitors will see a brand new stage cover which retains the shape of the iconic Lock 3 saddleback canopy. “It was time after eight seasons to replace the cover,” said Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth. “The familiar design remains the same.”
This year, Lock 3 concerts are underwritten through a generous grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as well.
Free Rock the Lock concerts sponsored with WONE resume Friday, May 27 and continue Fridays through Labor Day weekend.
A free Fourth of July festival, Rib,White & Blue is on tap July 1-4, and for the third year, the Italian-American Societies will hold its annual festival July 8-10. Both weekends feature fireworks inside Lock 3. This year’s 6th annual National Hamburger Festival is August 20-21.
For the first time, the Blues & Brews event, which has taken place at Stan Hywet in previous years, moves to Lock 3 on Saturday August 6.
A new addition to the festival line-up at Lock 3 is the 1st Irish Heritage Festival, “Halfway to St.Patty’s Day,” sponsored by Summit County’s Hibernians on September 16-17.
WONE’s Rock the Lock on Fridays
Rock and roll tribute bands have been the signature of Lock 3 on Friday nights during the summer, when the open-air arena rocks to the shouts of 4,000+ fans. This year, the music of the Who, Billy Joel, Neil Young, Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin, and Bob Seger join annual favorites like Fleetwood Mac, CCR, Santana and KISS. Concert time on Friday is always 7:00pm, with headliners at 8:30. Gates open at 6pm.
Saturday Nights Are Lock 3 Live! Concerts
Saturday night concerts start earlier in the season this year, with the popular Eagles Tribute Hotel California on stage June 18 in a free concert that welcomes the first official weekend of summer.
The annual Old School Soul show will feature national recording artists Zapp on June 25, with the D Funk Allstars opening. This always sold-out event has a $5 admission fee, and picnics are welcome.
Other Summer Saturdays feature the music of Aerosmith, Motown, ABBA, Chicago, Johnny Cash, and Jimmy Buffett - with national touring tribute acts.
The Saturday concert series closes August 27 with the “Rock and Roll Heaven” world tour, an American tribute to Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly. This annual evening of classic rock and roll also has a $5 admission fee.
Rib, White & Blue is Akron’s NATIONAL Rib Festival
What may be the nation’s largest FREE rib burn-off stakes its claim on the 4th of July weekend on South Main Street in Downtown Akron. 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.
On 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.
4th of July Music and Fireworks
For the second year, the City of Akron features the Akron Symphony Orchestra in a pops concert on Monday, July 4. American music classics begin at 3pm with the River City Jazz Band, and continues with the Brass Band of the Western Reserve (5:30pm.) The Akron Symphony under the direction of Christopher Wilkins performs at 8pm, with a grand fireworks finale inside Lock 3 at 9:45pm.
In 2010, the city eliminated its traditional fireworks show on the Akron Innerbelt because of costs, and 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.
Italian Festival Returns for Third Year
The Italian-American Societies of Summit County are starting their 64th festival week early, with a wine tasting, Vino Italia, a festival of food and wine, on July 6 at the Akron Civic Theatre. The three-day annual festival opens for lunch on Friday and continues through Sunday night. Separate Ways, A Tribute to Journey will be on stage Friday, with Ray Massa’s Eurorhythms, Sonny Geraci and the Del Sinchak Band performing through the weekend. Dozens of vendors of authentic Italian foods will be on hand through the three-day event on South Main Street.
New this year will be the societies’ annual 5k run, which will be held on Saturday morning of the festival weekend on the Ohio-Erie Canal Towpath and the streets of downtown Akron.
Blues & Brews Moves to Lock 3
Akron’s most popular craft beer event is moving to Downtown Akron in 2011. Blues & Brews, which was held at Stan Hywet in recent years, has found a new home at Lock 3. This year more than 65 breweries are expected to be on hand, with more than 150 styles of beer.
The event has a special admission to the “Brewer’s Circle,” 12pm - 2pm and admission to the general public, 2pm - 6pm. Some breweries will continue to offer beers for sale after 6pm at Lock 3's free Saturday concert with Brass Transit, a Tribute to Chicago.
Blues & Brews is sponsored by Akron’s own Thirsty Dog Brewery with food provided by the Winking Lizard.
6th Annual National Hamburger Festival
Burger-masters from around the Midwest will turn out with tongs in hand to flip burgers for the 6th Annual National Hamburger Festival in downtown Akron. It’s on a new weekend this year, moving to mid August. The event opens Saturday, August 20 to the music of Changes in Latitudes, America’s Premier Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band, and continues Sunday, August 21 with music from Lawless. The festival opens at noon each day. Serving ends at 11pm Saturday and 7pm Sunday.
To accompany the story of how America’s favorite sandwich was founded by two Akron brothers, Frank and Charles Menches in 1885, is a classic car demonstration on Sunday.
Three classic car museums join forces in downtown Akron to provide a challenge for some of the most venerable and valuable cars anywhere. The Packard Auto Museum in Warren, the Canton Classic Car Museum and the Crawford Aurto-Aviation Museum of Cleveland will provide demonstrations of some of America’s oldest cars, including a 1904 St. Louis, a 1903 Packard, and a 1900 Packard. These ‘horseless carriages’ will be cranked-up at the starting line, outside the gates of the Hamburger Festival, to show what the Menches Brothers could have used to travel to the first drive-in hamburger restaurant!
For more information go to www.hamburgerfestival.com
Lock 3 Special Events Include Smooth Jazz and Hip- Hop
The smooth jazz sounds of Roy Ayers return to the Akron Civic Theatre in a Lock 3 special performance Saturday, August 20. Patrice Rashen and Ndugu Chancler on stage together will open the evening’s bill.
The Hip Hop Showcase, presented by Keepers of the Art, Inc. returns to Lock 3 on Labor Day weekend for the fourth year dedicated to preserving urban artistic expression. Performers will be announced closer to the date at www.lock3live.com and www.keepersoftheart.com
Community Events Abound at Lock 3
A new festival celebrating Irish Heritage is scheduled at Lock 3, The 1st Irish Heritage Festival, “Halfway to St.Patty’s Day” on September 16-17, featuring Red Rebel County, a Tribute to Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly. The Hibernian organizations of Summit County are collaborating to produce the festival in downtown Akron with Irish music, history, food and beverages.
The Akron African American Festival is Sunday, July 24 at Lock 3, with cultural exhibits and displays, foods and music.
Already in 2011, Lock 3 has hosted the Ohio-Erie Canalway’s Healthy Steps; the Rape Crisis Center’s “Walk a Mile in her shoes;” International Tai Ci Day; the March of Dimes “March for Babies;” and the 2nd annual city-wide Baseball Parade (May 14.) Other events include charity fund raisers for the Heart Association, Aluminum Cans for Burned Children, the Diabetes Association, and American Cancer Society, and Crohn’s and Colitis disease.
LOCK 3, 2011
Unless otherwise noted, all shows start at 7:00pm. Gates Open 6:30pm
May 27: Rock the Lock - Rumors, The Tribute to Fleetwood Mac and Steveie Nicks
The WIXY 1260 Band
June 3: Rock the Lock - Bargain, The WHO Tribute – Nation’s #1 Who Tribute Band
Blood Sweat and Beers
June 10: Rock the Lock -The Fortunate Son Band, Tribute to CCR
Cats on Holiday
June 17 Relay for Life - DAP
June 17: Rock the Lock - Reil Young, A Tribute to Neil Young
Water Band
June 18 Autism Walk
June 18: Summer Solstice
The Eagles Tribute Band,Hotel California,
The Speed Bumps
June 24: Rock the Lock -Robert Eric’s Piano Man. The Tribute to Billy Joel
Victory HWY
June 25: * Old School Soul (Gates 6:00pm)
Zapp
D-Funk All Stars
June 26 Aluminum Cans for Burned Children Rally
July 1-4 Rib, White & Blue Festival
July 1: (Gates open 11:00am)
Rock the Lock - Bad Medicine, A Tribute to Bon Jovi
The Satisfiers
July 2: (Gates open 11:00am)
Bruce in the USA, The World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
5:30 Mo Mojo
3:30 Alex Bevan
July 3: (Gates Open 12:00pm)
Second Helping, a Salute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
5:30 Big House, a Tribute to the Allman Brothers
July 4: (Gates open 12:00pm)
8pm Akron Symphony Orchestra Pops with fireworks at 9:45pm
5pm Brass Band of the Western Reserve
3pm River City Jazz Band
July 4 Fireworks, 9:45pm
July 8-10 Italian American Societies Festival
July 8: Separate Ways The Band, a Tribute to Journey.
6:30pm Stadium 11
July 9: Sonny Geraci
6:00pm Ray Massa’s Eurorythms
July 10: 7:00pm The Del Sinchak band
4:00pm Cavaliere Reale
July 15 Market at Lock 3 begins every Friday through September
July 15: Rock the Lock - The Alabama Blues Brothers
One-4-Five Blues Band
July 16: Draw the Line, a Tribute to Aerosmith
Lost State of Franklin
July 22: Rock the Lock -Hells Bells, The Tribute to AC/DC
Red Sun Rising
July 23: The Motown Sounds of Touch.
Marilyn Rivers All Star Review
July 24 – Akron African American Festival
July 29: Rock the Lock -Evil Ways Band, A Tribute to Carlos Santana.
Colin Dussault’s Blues Project
July 30: Four Swedes, A Tribute to ABBA
Mystic Taxi
Aug 5: Rock the Lock -Hollywood Nights, a Tribute to Bob Seeger
Electric Mud
Aug 6: ** Noon – 6pm Blues & Brews
Brass Transit, As A Tribute to Chicago
The Twistoffs
Aug 12: Rock the Lock -The ONE, a Celebration of U-2
Kerosene Band
Aug 13: LeBron’s State Farm King for Kids Bikeathon
Aug 13: Terry Lee Goffee, the Real Johnny Cash Experience
Ryan Humbert Band
Aug 18: Akron Peacemakers Teen Expo
Aug 19: Rock the Lock -Mr. Speed, A Tribute to KISS
Back in Rehab
Aug 20: ** Smooth Jazz at the Civic , A Lock 3 Live! Special with Roy Ayers (9:30pm)
8pm: Patrice Rushen and Ndugu Chancler.
Aug 20: 6th Annual National Hamburger Festival: 12pm – 11pm
2pm Jon Mosey
4pm Abby Normal & the Detroit Lean
8:30pm - Changes in Latitudes, As a Tribute to Jimmy Buffet
Aug 21: 6th Annual National Hamburger Festival: 12pm – 7pm
Classic Car Race and Car Show
1pm Todd patrick and Laredo
3:30pm Lawless
Aug 26: Rock the Lock -The Machine performs Pink Floyd
The Juke Hounds
Aug 27: * Rock and Roll Heaven World Tour, An American Tribute
to Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and Buddy Holly
Mark Warrick & The Travelin’ Man Band
Sept 2: Rock the Lock -Zoso, the Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience
Jimiller Band
Sept 3: ** Hip Hop Showcase
All Friday Concerts through Sept. 2 are Rock the Lock Events, co-sponsored by WONE, except July 8.
*All concerts are free, except $5 admission will be charged June 25 and August 27
** A Separate admission is required for Blues & Brews, Smooth Jazz, and Hip Hop.
Sept. 16 -17: The 1st Akron Irish Heritage Festival
Red Rebel County Featuring Music of Dropkick Murphy’s and Flogging Molly
Maidens IV
Sept 24: Akron Roadrunner Marathon and Kids Fun Run
Oct 1: Crohn’s Disease and Colitis Walk
Oct 2: Step Out for Diabetes Walk
Oct 16: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
Nov 25: Downtown Lighting Ceremony and Opening of Winter at Lock 3
