AKRON, Ohio — Akron's Lock 3 is ready for summer, as it now has a newly renovated space and a slew of events lined up for the season.
This year's summer schedule features 60 bands that will perform, festivals and more.
“This new chapter builds on Akron’s rich tradition of bringing people together in shared spaces to enjoy the energy of community life. As Akron welcomes this fresh season of fun and festivity, Lock 3 invites everyone to come together, discover common ground, and find joy in all that makes this city unique. It's more than a park—it’s a place where Akron’s heart beats loudest, and where everyone belongs," Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said in a statement.
Here's a preview of what the city has in store this summer, but you can view the full schedule here.
There will be national acts this summer, including Priscilla Block, Chris Janson, Kirk Whalum, Dave Hollister and The Legendary Wailers. There will also be a bunch of local bands, including newcomers like The Vindys, The Shootouts, Off Leash, The Labra Brothers, Buck Naked Band, Mourning [A] BLKStar, and Benny Lava & the Guavas.
Of course, the Old School Soul, which is a staple of the summer events, will get a new spin this year as Soulful Saturday. It'll feature Dave Hollister and the Relatively Hammin Blues Band.
This year, the renovated Maynard Performance Pavilion will have 550-chair reserved seating, and the Knight Lawn will fit up to 2,500 guests. There will be free events to ticketed reserve seating to free lawn seating with national acts.
There are 11 festivals scheduled this summer a Lock 3. Those include:
- African American Cultural Festival (featuring Switch)
- Italian American Festival (featuring Disco Inferno, Fleetwood Macked, and RoxxyMoron)
- Pickle Fest (featuring Massive Hotdog Recall)
- Akron Pride Festival
- We Are The Weirdos
- Akron City Fest
- Rubber City Jazz Festival (featuring Kirk Whalum)
- Gospel Sundays
- Polymer Palooza
“Our goal is to program the space in a way that every resident finds an exciting opportunity to come downtown this summer. We are thrilled to program the space with music, festivals, events and activities that help to lift the identity of Akron as a welcoming place in the heart of Akron," said Director of Economic Development Suzie Graham Moore.
