AKRON, Ohio — EDITOR’S NOTE: The video above is from June 29, 2018, when Akron celebrated its annual Rib, White and Blue festival.
With less than a month until the Fourth of July weekend, Akron has announced a weekend filled with events to celebrate the holiday.
This year, the Rib, White and Blue Festival will return to Akron at Lock 3 Park between Friday, July 1 and Monday, July 4. The festival will be open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. each day.
“I know the Akron community is just as excited as I am to see the Rib, White, and Blue fest back in downtown Akron this year,” said Mayor Horrigan. “The festival gives visitors a chance to snag some amazing food, listen to great bands, and have a memorable time with family and friends as they celebrate the Fourth of July weekend. And bringing fireworks back downtown this year in addition to offering displays in several neighborhood locations gives everyone a chance to enjoy the show whether they want to come out for the festival or enjoy close to home.”
At the festival, national rib vendors will compete for awards such as Best Ribs, Best Sauce and People’s Choice Awards.
A delicious menu will be available to festival attendees that includes ribs, pulled pork, chicken, corn and lots of fair food.
Local eateries such as Homemade Delites and Stray Dog Cafe will be amongst the vendors at the festival.
Each night, the festival will host a free concert at 7 p.m.
Concert line-up:
Friday, July 1: E5C4P3 –The Journey Tribute with Monica Robins & The Whiskey Kings
Saturday, July 2: Bruce in the USA, World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with Sinners and Saints
Sunday, July 3: The Best of Queen, presented by Break Free! GEORGIA PLAYERS GUILD with XCESS featuring ANDREA
Monday, July 4: Creedence Relived, A Tribute to CCR with Brave and Crazy
On Monday, July 4, downtown Akron will light up its skies with a firework display that will launch at the end of the Akron RubberDucks game.
Neighborhood firework displays will be launched from the Patterson Park Sports Complex and the Akron Executive Airport at 9:45.
97.5 WONE-FM will provide live updates and a patriotic playlist for the firework program.
Currently, Akron’s city council is considering legislation that would ban setting off commercial or consumer-grade fireworks in the city without a permit.
"In the US, on average, fireworks are responsible for starting about 19,000 fires each year and cause over 9,000 injuries," said Akron Fire Chief Clarence Tucker. "Over a third of fireworks injuries occur to children under the age of 15. Please enjoy your 4th of July celebrations safely and leave the fireworks to the professionals."
A full schedule of the Fourth of July weekend events taking place and Akron’s summer events can be found HERE.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on June 16, 2020.