Weeklong Independence Day Celebration in Akron, Ohio

Akron is located in Summit County in northeast Ohio. Akron knows what to do when July 4th of July lands in the middle of the week. As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons; make lemonade.

Unofficially, the weeklong celebration kicked off June, 29, 2007 at Lock 3 Live, a downtown, family friendly outdoor venue, with a concert featuring Mojo Risin, a Doors Tribute Band. I was there to experience quite possibly one of the best tribute bands I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. They are known for giving you the entire package, not just the music. From costume to acting to music, Mojo Risin, in my opinion, is The Doors reincarnated.

Fast forward 2 days to Sunday July 1, 2007. Dust off your bikes and rev up your engines for Main Street Saloon's Vietnam Veterans Memorial Poker Run. Any and all vehicles are welcome. Come out and show your support for the Vietnam Servicemen who helped to keep the word independent in Independence Day. This poker run will include auctions, food, and live music after the run.

On July 4th, we are back in downtown Akron for the official Independence Day celebration which will be a 4 day family friendly event. Downtown Main Street will be closed off for the Akron Family Barbeque and a Star-Spangled 4th of July. The celebration kicks off when the gates open at 11:00 am and will run through July 7th. This 4 day long Independence Day outdoor cookout will feature live music, rides for the kids, street vendors, and BBQ chefs from all corners of the USA.

The line up for July 4th in Akron, Ohio will begin with the gates opening at 11:00am. For just a $5 admission charge, let the fun begin!

At 3:00pm, Accent, Ohio's Premier Top 40's Dance Band will kick off the music and get your boogy shoes moving. Accent will take you from the music of the 50's right through the music of today.

At 4:30pm, Classic Albums Live will hit the stage. This unique band has the ability to take the classics and recreate them onstage. They will be performing Fleetwood Mac at 4:30pm followed by The Best of Fleetwood Mac at 6:00pm.

At 7:30pm, Survivor, will put a wrap on the musical portion of the day's festivities. Survivor is probably best known for "Eye of the Tiger" which was the opening music for Rocky III. Other memorable hits include "Can't Hold Back", "The Search is Over", and "Is This Love".

At 9:45pm, let the fireworks begin. In years past, the fireworks have been set off behind Route 59 or the Innerbelt. Want great seats? Go to the top of the Akron Children's Hospital parking garage. You will swear that you can reach out and touch the fireworks!

July 5th will usher in the 2nd day of the Akron Family Barbeque and a Star-Spangled 4th of July. Gates again will open at 11:00am and admission is FREE. Along with the rides for the kids, street vendors, and BBQ, the musical portion will begin with Steel Drums at 6:00pm and showcasing the one and only Akron Symphony Orchestra at 7:30pm. The Akron Symphony Orchestra will delight both the young and young at heart. The Akron Symphony Orchestra is currently celebrating 50 years of commitment to meeting the needs of the Akron community.

Be sure to find time July 6th for more food, celebrating, music and fun. Call in sick, take the day off, or just claim a long holiday weekend. The gates will again open at 11:00am with free admission. Your hunger for music will be fulfilled with first The Cletus Black Revue and their country, rock, southern style. Following The Cletus Black Revue at both 8:30pm and 10:00pm, you'll find Ohio: A Tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Yes, a double set of CSNY tunes to rock the night away. What could be better than a free concert on the grass on a warm summer night to celebrate Independence Day in Akron, Ohio?

Saturday July 7th will wrap up a week long celebration with more food, family, friends, and fun. The gates will open at 11:00am and there is a minimal $5 charge. Just in case you missed any of the BBQ in the first 3 days of the 4 day long Akron Family Barbeque and Star-Spangled 4th of July, today will be the last day, until next year that is! Serving up on the musical stage will be Rumplestiltskin at 3:00 pm. Sonny Robertson & The Howard Street Blues Band will soothe your savage beast with their sweet mellow mix of blues and jazz at 4:30pm. United We Funk and Old School Soul will wrap up the musical portion of festivities beginning at 6:30pm.

Lock 3 Live is a family friendly outdoor venue dedicated to bringing the best of the best to downtown Akron. Throughout the summer months on Friday nights the concerts are free and the beer is cold. Come on out and Rock the Lock in Akron. We don't just do it, we do it right!