Release Date: March 6,2024
Downtown Akron Sakura Festival Returns April 6, 2024
March 6, 2024, Akron, Ohio — Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) announces the Fourth Annual Downtown Akron Sakura Festival along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail on Saturday, April 6 from 3 to 9 p.m. This year’s celebration will build on the success of last year’s, which saw some 6,000 visitors enjoying traditional Japanese performances, music, art, activities, vendors and of course, more than 450 cherry blossom trees in bloom through downtown and Ohio & Erie Canal Park.
The 2024 footprint will include activations in the Lock 3 Commons, the Lock 3 ice rink area between the State St. bridge and Canal Park, Lock 2, the Towpath Trailhead at Spaghetti Warehouse, the Mustill Store and Williams Tower in Ohio & Erie Canal Park.
The festival will include performances, Japanese music, a festive story walk, crafts, local vendors offering bonsai and ikebana (flower arranging), several local food vendors, a bike ride and more. DAP will also host a photo contest on social media, with prizes awarded to the top three photographers chosen by guest judges. This family-friendly event is free and open to all. For a frequently updated schedule of the festival, and to apply to be a vendor, visit the DAP website.
DAP will join the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio (JANO), with help from the learners of NIHF STEM Middle School, in following the blossoms as they emerge, and will use social media to invite visitors to view their splendor throughout the brief bloom. Follow DAP on social media for updates on the blossoms. The exact blooming dates of the trees are difficult to predict and only last a handful of days, but the festival will take place April 6 regardless.
DAP Interim President Kimberly Beckett says, "The Towpath is a tremendous amenity to downtown and adjoining neighborhoods, and is even more spectacular during springtime, when it is alive with the pink-white blossoms of 450+ cherry blossom trees planted by JANO and the City of Akron. We are thrilled to hold the Sakura Festival for the fourth year in a row, which we anticipate to be bigger and better than ever thanks to the public's love for the trees, an expansive footprint, and large numbers of out-of-towners expected to be in the neighborhood for the solar eclipse."
Between 2011 and 2012, the City of Akron, with support from JANO, planted 472 cherry blossom trees along the Towpath Trail. Every spring, for a handful of days, the trees emerge with beautiful blooms, heralding the coming of spring downtown.
Total Eclipse of the Trees
This year’s Sakura Festival comes at a singular time, only two days before Akron lies in the path of totality of a solar eclipse. Numerous eclipse-specific events will be taking place during the weekend of the festival and in the few days after. More information on the solar eclipse can be found on the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau website. In preparation for the eclipse, DAP will hand out eclipse viewing glasses during the festival while supplies last, at no cost.
RubberDucks Opening Weekend
In addition to its proximity to the April 8 eclipse, the festival takes place during the Akron RubberDucks opening weekend. On April 6, the Ducks will be playing the Altoona Curve at 6:05. Cherry blossom-themed post-game fireworks will be sponsored by DAP, and a special $12 ticket offer is available for the April 6 game at https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Downtownakron/offer.
Parking and Points of Entry
Parking is available behind Spaghetti Warehouse, and the Towpath is accessible directly behind the parking lot.
Parking is also available in the State St. parking deck. The Towpath is accessible from the State St. trailhead entry (behind Canal Park Stadium).
Parking for Williams Tower is located in the Channelwood lot, located behind Williams Tower, off Dart Ave.
Limited parking is available for the Mustill Store at 57 W. North St.
The 2023 Downtown Akron Sakura Festival is made possible with support from the Knight Foundation, GAR Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Akron Community Foundation, the City of Akron and Lock 3. Other community partners include Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio (JANO), Asian Services in Action (ASIA), Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Akron RubberDucks, Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc., Akron Civic Commons, Cascade Locks Park Association, Akron Children’s Hospital, and Akron Children’s Museum.