Preparations are underway for what is being billed as the biggest parade in 50 years in downtown Akron.
The city’s bicentennial parade will take place 10 a.m. to noon July 5.
The parade begins at Market and Main streets and will proceed east on Market Street, south on High Street, west on Buchtel Avenue and north on Main Street. The parade will finish its route at the roundabout at Main and Mill streets by the Rubber Worker statue.
You can view the parade from either side of High Street between Market and Buchtel Avenue, on Buchtel between High and Main, or along Main Street between Buchtel (Canal Park Stadium) and Cascade Plaza.
Here are other remaining events for the Akron Bicentennial Signature Celebration Week:
People line up at food vendors during lunchtime on the first day of The Heart of Akron Festival at Lock 3 in Akron on Thursday July 3, 2025.
Heart of Akron Festival
Natalie Markulis and her brother Hunter Smith enjoy lunch together on the first day of The Heart of Akron Festival at Lock 3 in Akron on Thursday July 3, 2025.
This festival kicked off July 3 and continues through July 5 in Locks 3 and 4 along Main Street in downtown Akron from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. The event, which includes free admission, features music, food and drinks, as well as a fireworks celebration on July 4 starting at 9:45 p.m.
Festival attendees can also check out the “Sample the City” food tasting event on July 5 from 2 to 6 p.m. Tickets cost $40 and attendees have access to bite-sized signature dishes from 20 food vendors that represent the best of Akron’s local cuisine.
Tickets for Sample the City available at https://ayrs.io/pED5Kh or at the door.
Fourth of July weekend entertainment schedule for downtown Akron
The luncheon crowd takes in the food offering and live music on the first day of The Heart of Akron Festival at Lock 3 in Akron on Thursday July 3, 2025.
The following is a day-by-day breakdown of the entertainment lineup for the festival:
Friday, July 4
6-8 p.m.: Nikki D & The Sisters of Thunder
Saturday, July 5
11 a.m.-7 p.m.: The Summit 91.3 Live Stream with Chad Miller
3 p.m.: Bicentennial Time Capsule Opening
8:30-10:30 p.m.: The Vindys
Saxphonist Justin Tibbs and bassist Jared Lees of JT’s Electrik Blackout perform on the first day of The Heart of Akron Festival at Lock 3 in Akron on Thursday July 3, 2025.
Bridgestone Bicentennial Homecoming ‘Feature the Future’
This exhibition, which will be held 1-6 p.m. July 5 in Lock 3, will highlight the technologies, innovations, advancements and opportunities from a variety of industries and sectors in Greater Akron. Exhibitors will also highlight available jobs/internships and opportunities for investment and development.
Akron RubberDucks Bicentennial Bobblehead Night, fireworks
On July 5, the 1,000 attendees to enter Canal Park will receive a bobblehead doll of Judith Resnik, an Akron native and astronaut, who died in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
The RubberDucks also will have fireworks following their home series games against Erie on July 4 and July 5.
New book celebrates Akron’s 200 year history
A new 427-page publication, “Akron at 200: A Bicentennial History,” is available for purchase this weekend at the Akron History Center, 172 South Main St.
The hard cover book is listed at $50 but will be available for purchase during Akron’s Bicentennial week at a discounted price of $35.
Remaining hours for sale are as follows:
How to find Akron Bicentennial information
To learn more about Akron’s Bicentennial celebration, visit www.akron200.org.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron July 4 weekend features festival, parade, fireworks