Lock 3 visitors this weekend will be treated to special events that will tickle their palate, their funnybone, or their curiosity about Akron.
GIANT MARBLES COMPETITION
What’s being billed as the World’s Largest Game of Marbles will be held on the ice rink Friday and Saturday at Lock 3 - the site of America’s first toy marble factory. Giant marbles will be rolled on the ice for a game of “keeps.” Knuckling-down will be more difficult because the “marbles” used in the game will be bowling balls.
“Toy marbles were America’s first manufactured toy that a child could buy with their own money,” said Dave Lieberth, Akron’s Deputy Mayor. “We celebrate Akron’s place in toy and marble history every day at our Lock 3 history exhibit. It’s only right for the world’s largest game of marbles to be played here.”
The marbles competition will be refereed by marbles historian Michael Cohill. The Lock 3 ice will be cleared for the games from 9pm - 9:30pm Friday and Saturday. Seven “marbles” will be placed in a ring on the ice, and volunteer competitors will each get a “shooter” to try and knock the marbles out of the circle. For more information, go to www.lock3live.com
FOOD TIPS AND DEMONSTRATIONS
Lock 3 will provide home cooks some help this weekend as they prepare for holiday baking and entertaining.
Chef Louis Prpich, owner of the Chowder House Café, will do a cooking demonstration on Holiday Appetizers and Party Treats at 4:00pm Saturday, on the cooking stage inside the basement of O’Neil’s.
Prpich, who provides chowders, bisques, soups, and chilis for the winter crowd at Lock 3 operates a restaurant on Chestnut Boulevard, and says that people often run out of ideas for holiday meals and parties.
“I’ll be focusing on simple foods that can be used in different ways to put some pizazz into holiday entertaining,” he says.
Chef Louis is known to Akron foodies from his time as owner and operator of the Grotto on Merriman and Akron Creative Catering, and as chef at The Office Bistro, Edgar’s at Good Park, Misto 1238, and Greystone Hall.
On Sunday, the professional baking team from Hattie’s Café on South Main Street will be demonstrating how they make Lock 3's new gingerbread cookies - which are decorated by children visiting the Kinderzone in the basement of O’Neil’s on weekends.
Hattie’s will also offer tips to home bakers who want to improve their skills in making the holiday cut-out cookie which can be intimidating to new cooks who struggle with dough recipes. The cookie demonstration will be at 3:00pm Sunday in the basement of O’Neil’s. There is no charge for admission to Lock 3 events.
HISTORIC TOURS OF DOWNTOWN AKRON
Free Historic Trolley Tours of Downtown Akron resume Sunday at Lock 3. Tours will be given on board the city’s heated trolleys at 12:00pm, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm Sunday. Riders can obtain free tickets- one for each person taking the tour -by stopping at the Information Booth inside Lock 3's concession stand area. Tour guide Michael Cohill discusses buildings, historic events, and sites along the downtown route during the 45-minute ride. Tickets are offered free on a space-available basis.
LOCK 3 THIS WEEKEND
Go to www.lock3live.com
Ice Skating - Free admission, skate rental $3, for children $2.
Thursday: 11am -9m
Friday: 11am - 11pm
Saturday: 11am - 11pm
Sunday: 12pm - 6pm
Chowder House Café featuring Thirsty Dog’s 12 Dogs of Christmas Ale and new Lock 3 Lager
Open during Ice skating
Kinderzone- Make and Take Crafts for kids - Gingerbread man decorating
Friday: 6pm - 8pm
Saturday: 2pm - 4pm, 6pm - 6pm
Sunday: 2pm - 4pm
The Cottage Shops at Lock 3:
Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11am -9pm
Sunday: 12 -6pm
The Gingerbread House Exhibit - basement of O’Neil’s:
Thursday-Saturday: 11am -9pm
Sunday: 12pm - 6pm
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The Magical Train: $3 ride on the Canal Towpath and around Lock 4
Friday: 5pm - 8pm
Saturday: 1pm -8pm
Sunday: 1pm -6pm
Lock 3 History Exhibit & American Toy Marble Museum
Thursday: 6pm -8pm
Friday: 12pm - 8pm
Saturday: 12pm - 8pm
Sunday: 12pm - 6pm
Holidayfest Trolleys - Shuttle between event locations downtown, FREE
Friday: 6pm - 10pm
Saturday:12pm -10pm
Sunday: 12pm - 5pm
