Who is ready for summer? We have compiled a full list of summer events and activities throughout our community sure to keep you and your family busy. Check it out!
MAY
Mother’s Day Tea
May 14, 2017
Akron Art Museum – 1 S High St, Akron
11 am – 3pm
Member Adult $25; Non-member Adult $35; Student (under 18) $15; Children under 12 Free with Adult Ticket.
The Akron Art Museum is inviting all Moms to enjoy tea and an afternoon of art on Mother’s Day. There is also an opportunity to make original artwork to take home!
Mother’s Day at Stan Heywet Hall and Gardens
May 14, 2017
Stan Hywet Hall – 714 N. Portage Path, Akron
10 am – 6 pm
Mothers and Grandmothers are free
Take mom to Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens on Mother’s Day. Activities include: self-guided tour of the Manor House, the Corbin Conservatory, the Gate Lodge, Playgarden and the landscaped historic gardens and grounds.
Day Out With Thomas: The Friendship Tour 2017
May 20- 21 and 26 – 28, 2017
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad – 7100 Riverview Rd., Peninsula
Times and admission vary
Take a ride with Thomas, meet the railway controller Sir Topham Hatt, have fun in the Imagination Station, see authentic engines and enjoy tons of other activities!
Kenmore Community Days Festival and Fireworks Spectacular
May 26- 28, 2017
Shadyside Park on Kenmore Blvd
Times and admission vary; Fireworks May 28 at 9:45 pm
Visit Kenmore’s Community Days Festival for some family fun Memorial Day weekend!
Tallmadge Memorial 5k and 1 mile run / Memorial Day Parade
May 29, 2017
Tallmadge Circle
8 am
5k – $30 and 1 mile – $10
Celebrate Memorial Day in Tallmadge with a 5K or 1 mile fun run, a pancake breakfast and the annual Memorial Day parade!
Green Memorial Day Parade
May 29, 2017
Green High School, Veterans Memorial Park and Community Center
10 am
Free
The parade begins at Green High School parking lot. The ceremony will take place at noon at the Veterans Memorial Park and the car show will begin immediately following the ceremony at the Community Center.
JUNE
Akron Autism 5K Run/Walk
June 17, 2017
Lock 3 – Downtown Akron
9 am
$35 5K run and walk, Free one mile fun walk
The Autism Society of Greater Akron’s annual 5k run/walk is a perfect way to support people in our community who have autism! The event will also have entertainment and activities for all ages and abilities.
Family Movie Night
June 17, 2017
Lock 3 – Downtown Akron
8 am
Free
Grab a blanket, chairs and some snacks and enjoy a family movie at Lock 3!
Father’s Day at Akron Zoo
June 18, 2017
Akron Zoo – 505 Euclid Ave., Akron
10am – 5 pm
Free for fathers and grandfathers
Celebrate the special guy in your life at the Akron Zoo!
60th Annual Father’s Day Car Show
June 18, 2017
Stan Hywet Hall – 714 N. Portage Path, Akron
9 am – 4:30 pm
Non-member adult $14, Non-member youth (6-17) $6 / Member adult $11, Member youth $5.
Celebrate Father’s Day at an Akron tradition and one of the oldest car shows in America. View 400 classic, antique and collector cars manufactured from 1925-1990. The feature car for this milestone year is the Chevrolet Camaro.
Green Freedom Festival
June 23 – 24, 2017
Boettler Park – 5300 Massillon Road
6 pm – 10 pm Friday and 12 pm – 11 pm Saturday
Admission is a school supply to benefit Green Good Neighbors
Head down to Green for some family fun including inflatables, simulators, and tethered hot air balloon rides ($5/ride; children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent). Saturday only: 8:15 pm – Skydivers, weather permitting and 10:15 pm Fireworks.
JULY
Rib, White and Blue: Akron’s National Rib Festival
June 30 – July 4, 2017
South Main Street, Akron
11 am – 11 pm
Free
Enjoy local BBQ, music and All-American fun at the annual Rib, White and Blue Festival. Fireworks on July 4th at Lock 3!
Blossom Music Festival: Cleveland Orchestra Salute to America!
July 3 – July 4, 2017
Blossom – 1145 West Steels Corners Rd, Cuyahoga Falls
8 pm
18 and younger receive free tickets with full price adult lawn seats. Prices vary for pavilion seating.
Great music, fireworks, and fun for the whole family! Blossom’s traditional, star-spangled celebration with the Blossom Festival Band features a mix of patriotic Sousa marches, Broadway favorites, an Armed Forces Salute, and more – concluding with the “1812” Overture and fireworks! Fireworks follow the concert, weather permitting.
Fairlawn Independent Day Parade and Fireworks
July 4, 2017
Bicentennial Park – 3486 S. Smith Rd., Fairlawn
4:30 pm
Free
Parade will begin at the Fairlawn Towne Center and head west to 3320 W. Market St. (just across from the main entrance to Summit Mall). Come out and enjoy the fireworks and festivities after the parade. Fireworks will begin at 10 pm, weather permitting.
Hudson Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks
July 4, 2017
Barlow Farm Park – 1965 Barlow Rd., Hudson
10 pm
Free
Hudson’s annual 4th of July Fireworks Display and Celebration is fun for the whole family!
Stow Firecracker Race and Fun Run
July 4, 2017
Holy Family Catholic Church – 3179 Kent Rd., Stow
7:30 am
4-Mile – $30 pre-registration; $35 day of race. 3K Fun Run – $20 pre-registration; $25 day of race.
(Families of 3 or more, discount $1 per runner, all entries must arrive together)
Wake up bright and early and start the day Fourth of July Celebrations with a 4-mile race or 3K fun run for all ages!
Stow Fourth of July Parade
July 4, 2017
Stow-Kent Shopping Center – 4445 Kent Road, Stow
10 am
Free
Join the community tradition and watch Stow’s annual Fourth of July parade! This year, the parade theme is Salute to our Veterans.
Fun at First & Main, Hudson (Treasure Hunt theme)
July 5, 2017
First and Main, Hudson
11 am – 1 pm
Free
The monthly events at each venue will carry a different adventurous theme and will feature fun and interactive activities targeted for kids ages 2 to 9.
Pajama Party at the Zoo
July 8, 2017
Akron Zoo – 505 Euclid Ave., Akron
5 pm -9 pm
Regular Zoo Admission
Come dressed in your favorite family-friendly PJ’s and enjoy extended evening hours at the zoo!
iCan Bike Camp
July 10 – July 14, 2017
Copley High School Auxiliary Gym – 3807 Ridgewood Rd, Akron
5 sessions offered each day at 8:30 am, 10:05 am, 11:20 am, 2 pm and 3:35 pm
$250 fee for the week. Scholarships are available.
This 5-day camp teaches individuals of all different abilities how to ride a two-wheel bicycle without training wheels. Camp accepts 40 riders on a first-come, first-served basis. Riders attend the same 75 minute session each day for 5 consecutive days. Riders use a specialized bicycle designed to teach appropriate balance for the entire 75 minutes each day while accompanied by their assigned volunteers.
Summit County Fair
July 25 – July 30, 2017
Summit County Fairgrounds, Tallmadge
Times and admission vary
Fun for all ages, including rides, games, food, entertainment and farm animals!
AUGUST
Fun at First & Main, Hudson (Water Fun theme)
August 2, 2017
First and Main, Hudson
11 am – 1 pm
Free
The monthly events at each venue will carry a different adventurous theme and will feature fun and interactive activities targeted for kids ages 2 to 9.
Zoothing Hour
August 8, 2017
9 am
Akron Zoo – 505 Euclid Ave., Akron
Regular Zoo Admission
The zoo will open an hour early for people with special needs who don’t like crowds and loud noises.
National Hamburger Festival
August 12 – August 13, 2017
Lock 3 – Downtown Akron
Opens at 12 pm
$5 admission. Children 8 and under are free! Tickets are available for purchase at the gate.
Celebrate America’s most iconic food – the hamburger! Every year the festival raises money for the Akron Children’s Hospital. All food tickets must be purchased at the festival (pre-sale tickets are not available). Food tickets are $1 each and are used to purchase all food items. The festival guide, which is available at the festival entrance, lists all of the food prices.
Summit For Kids
August 19, 2017
John S. Knight Center – 77 E Mill St., Akron
10 am – 4 pm
Free
Summit for Kids is an annual family expo! Parents and children are invited to the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron to enjoy fun and educational activities, free back-to-school items and more. Stop by the Summit DD booth and spin our prize wheel!
Family Fun Festivities and Movie Night
August 19, 2017
Lock 3 – Downtown Akron
5 pm
Free
Kids inflatables, contests, entertainment and other activities. Bring your chairs and blankets for an outdoor movie at dusk!
Northeast Ohio Buddy Walk
August 26, 2017
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
9 am
$15 -20 – Registration required
Join the Up Side of Downs at the 17th Annual Northeast Ohio Buddy Walk at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! Buddy Walk registration entitles you to zoo and rain forest admission all day. Enjoy a 1-mile wheel-friendly walk in celebration of individuals with Down syndrome.
ONGOING
Ohio Shakespeare Festival at Stan Hywet: As You Like It
Thursdays-Sundays, June 30 – July 16, 2017
Outdoor theater in the lagoon area of Stan Hywet – 714 N. Portage Path, Akron
6 pm – 10 pm
Performed outdoors at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, experience Shakespeare’s beloved story of life, love and marriage kindled in the woods. Arrive early and bring your own picnic dinner or purchase a bite to eat from concessions. Fun and enjoyable for all ages!
Movie Matinee Mondays
June 12, June 19, July 3, and July 17, 2017
Akron-Summit County Public Library Goodyear Branch – 60 Goodyear Blvd., Akron
1 pm
Free
Catch a family-friendly movie at the library! Goodyear branch will be showing Moana, Secret Life of Pets, Kubo and the Two Strings and Finding Dory.
Rock the Lock
Fridays – May 26 through September 1, 2017
Lock 3 – Downtown Akron
Gates: 6 pm, Concert: 7 pm
First Friday of the month is Give Back Fridays-$5 admission goes to a local charity. All other Fridays are Free
Experience local cover and tribute bands all summer long at Lock 3! Grab a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a fun night of music.
Hudson First and Main
June 7, July 5 and August 2, 2017
First and Main Green – corner of Village Way and First St.
11 am – 1 pm
Free
First & Main will feature free interactive activities and entertainment, music, vendors, giveaways and contests on the First & Main green once a month! Be sure to stop by the Summit DD booth and say hello!
Blossom Summer Concerts
Multiple dates and times throughout the summer months
Blossom – 1145 West Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls
Times and prices vary
Have you been to Blossom lately? Several concerts of all genres of music are coming to town this summer! Check out the list of shows and enjoy live music at this unique concert venue!
Great Lakes Mediveval Faire
Saturdays and Sundays, July 8 – August 13, 2017
3033 State Route 534, Rock Creek
11am – 7pm
Prices vary
The Great Lakes Medieval Faire is a shaded, 13th century family fun theme park filled with entertainment, juried crafts and artisans, rides, interactive games, and foods fit for a king.
