Release Date: June 11,2025
Open Tone Music, NCCAkron & Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders Collaborate to Bring a Second Line Procession to the Akron Bicentennial Parade
Public Can Join the Contingent and Celebrate Akronites Past, Present and Future
AKRON, Ohio, June 10, 2025 – A brass band, dance and arts ensemble called "Akron's Second Line Procession" will bring the vibrant spirit of New Orleans to downtown Akron as part of the city's Bicentennial Downtown Parade on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. and will make a mile-long loop around downtown.
Second line parades, featuring brass bands and joyful participants, are a beloved New Orleans tradition deeply rooted in the African-American community. These celebrations of life, joy and community are commonly featured at weddings, festivals and other special life events.
The desire to incorporate a second line parade into Akron's bicentennial celebration came from Rick Rogers, founder and executive director emeritus of Curated Storefront, a downtown Akron public arts organization. Rogers conceived the tribute in honor of his mother, Susie Rogers, a longtime civic leader and arts patron who passed away in 2024.
"My mother loved Akron and she loved a good party," Rogers said. "She wanted a second line procession as part of her celebration of life. I thought it was fitting to create this group that celebrates passed-on loved ones as part of Akron’s bicentennial birthday."
"Akron's Second Line Procession" will feature a brass band led by Chris Anderson, executive director and founder of Open Tone Music, along with dancers assembled and choreographed by Christy Bolingbroke, executive/artistic director of NCCAkron. The procession will also include characters representing sculptures from Curated Storefront’s downtown Akron museum, Clayton Bailey's World of Wonders.
The brass band will lead the procession while performing music ranging from New Orleans jazz classics to songs from Akron's renowned bands – Devo, The Pretenders and The Black Keys – as they move along the parade route.
Bolingbroke shares, “One of the best ways I know how to feel and be a part of a community is to lean into the music and move together. Although not from New Orleans - I’m not even originally from Akron - I welcome this invitation as an adopted Akronite to celebrate our collective ancestors, play, and dance…to mark this moment for our community and turn the page for the next 200 years.”
Community members ages 18 and older are invited to join the procession celebrating Akronites—past or present—who are special to them. Advance registration is required.
Registration bonus: Those who register by June 16 will receive:
A free commemorative t-shirt designed by NCCAkron (includes space to write a name or pin a photo of a pasted on loved one or person you're celebrating)
A free commemorative bandana designed by Akron artist Micah Kraus
Registration bonus items for those who sign-up after June 16 are subject to remaining availability.
Dance preparation: Learn the choreography through video with advance registration. An optional in-person rehearsal will also be offered.
Required waivers: Participants must sign liability release and media release forms.
To register: Click here for additional information, registration, and release forms.
Akron’s Second Line Procession is made possible through a donation from the Richard S. and Alita Rogers Family Foundation.
About the Collaborating Arts Organizations
Open Tone Music (opentonemusic.org) provides music education opportunities for all people as well as the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival each year.
NCCAkron (nccakron.org) is currently the only operating national center for choreography in the country. Working with 100+ national artists a year, their mantra is that "all roads dance through Akron."
Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders (claytonbailey.org) is a free, family-friendly museum in downtown Akron in the Polsky Building. It features the work of internationally acclaimed pop funk sculptor Clayton Bailey.
Together, the three organizations saw the opportunity to take their work to the streets and be part of the Akron Bicentennial Celebration - through art, music, and movement.