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Release Date: June 8,2023

City of Akron Announces Plans for Fourth of July Weekend

Rib, White, And Blue Festival returning to downtown with fireworks displays throughout the city

Akron, Ohio, June 8, 2023 — Today, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and Lock 3 announced the City’s Fourth of July plans, including the return of the Rib, White, and Blue Festival and fireworks in several locations.

The Rib, White, and Blue Festival runs Friday, June 30 – Tuesday, July 4 from 11am-11pm each day in Lock 3. See Lock 3 Map here. The festival includes national rib vendors competing for bragging rights for Best Ribs, Best Sauce and People’s Choice Awards. Visitors can enjoy ribs, pulled pork, chicken and corn, as well as a variety of fair food. Local vendors include: After Hours BBQ, PigFoot BBQ, Grill Masters, Stray Dog Trucks, Homemade Delites and more! Admission is free. No outside food or drinks permitted, with exception of the DORA.

Parking at City of Akron decks including State St Parking Deck and Cascade Parking Deck will be FREE from 6 pm Friday, June 30 until 12am Monday, July 3. Monday, July 3, regular rates will apply and there will be Free parking again on July 4th.

Motorcycle Parking: On Quaker St., enter from Ash St. See location map.

There will be nightly concerts on the Lock 3, Cleveland Clinic Stage located on W. Bowery St., next to The Akron Civic Theatre. Concerts begin at 7pm.

  • Friday, June 30: Draw The Line– The Endorsed Aerosmith Tribute with Lady Lyre
  • Saturday, July 1: Straight On-Heart Tribute with Angie Haze Project
  • Sunday, July 2: EU (Experience Unlimited) with Akron’s Real Deal. Presented by The City of Akron and 3R1 Entertainment.
  • Monday, July 3: Hotel California – The Original Eagles Tribute Band with The TwistOffs
  • Tuesday, July 4: Wanted–Bon Jovi Tribute with Wishgarden

The festival culminates on Tuesday, July 4 with a downtown fireworks display set to launch after the conclusion of the Akron RubberDucks game at approximately 9:45pm. Other neighborhood fireworks displays will be launched from Patterson Park Sports Complex and the Akron Executive Airport. The neighborhood fireworks are set to launch at 9:45pm. Tune into 97.5 FM WONE that evening to get live updates on the launches and share in a patriotic soundtrack for the program.

While the state of Ohio passed legislation allowing residents to set off fireworks on particular holidays, including the Fourth of July, Akron passed an ordinance last year (150-2022) maintaining the city’s ban on setting off commercial or consumer grade fireworks without a permit. Residents are reminded it is not legal in city limits to set off these types of fireworks.

Sponsors and foundation underwriting keep all concerts free or at deep discounts.

Lock 3 thanks our sponsors Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Pritt Entertainment Group, Tramonte Distributing, Miller Light, Coca-Cola, Downtown Akron Partnership, Akron Civic Theatre, Thirsty Dog Brewery, The Knight Foundation, WAKR, WONE, WQMX.

Visit Lock3Live.com for the full summer schedule and FAQ.