AKRON, Ohio — Editor's Note: The above video features a preview of the upcoming Soap Box Derby in Akron
Akron’s Hardesty Park will play host this week to two long-running events: the 15th Annual Taste of Akron and the 43rd Annual Akron Arts Expo.
First up will be the Taste of Akron, taking place from 6-10 p.m. on Thursday, July 21. The City of Akron said in a news release that over 20 Akron-area restaurants will be on hand offering samples of appetizers, entrees and deserts. Food vendors will charge guests individually, and the City is not selling prepaid tickets.
Supplementing the culinary offerings will be live performances by musical acts Jerri Sapronetti & Graham Murphy and Samantha Grace.
The Akron Arts Expo, also at Hardesty Park, will be held over the weekend on July 23 and 24. According to the City, the free event will feature live entertainment as well as the work of over 100 juried exhibitors.
Planned for this year’s festival include several programs in the interactive children’s tent. Organizers pointed to a selfie contest hosted by the Akron Children’s Museum and a community art project featuring the work of students in Akron Public Schools’ summer art program Arts LIFT. The Akron-Summit County Public Library will provide wood turning demonstrations and art projects for children and families.
The Arts Expo will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Hardesty Park is located at 1615 W. Market Street in Akron.
See the full list of restaurants participating in the 15th Annual Taste of Akron below:
- Akron Pickle
- Buffalo Wild Wings GO
- The Breakfast Box
- Papa Johns
- The pierogi Lady
- Bereka Coffee & Ethiopian Cuisine
- The Soulful Vegan
- Saffron Patch
- Akron Norka Beverage
- Sweet & Savvy Cake Shop
- Café Arnone
- Henry’s Creamery
- Dr. Hibachi
- The Cookery
- Southern Thangs
- Twisted Grill and Grind
- Smash Time
- Johnny Lotes Latin Street Corn
- Sandy Bottom Bowls
- Eddie’s Famous Cheesesteaks
- D & M Grille
- Urban Gourmet
- Billy’s Tropical Asian Fusion
- West Side Coney Island
- Big Blue BBQ Truck
- The Buzzy Bee