AKRON, Ohio — The city of Akron is launching its first Akron City Festival in downtown, created to celebrate the city’s future leaders, the city said in a release.

The event is set for Sunday, Sept. 3 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will feature a parade, music, games, face painting, a school-supply giveaway and talent, fashion and magic shows.

What You Need To Know

  • The city is launching its first Akron City Festival to celebrate the city’s future leaders

  • The festival is set for Sunday, Sept. 3 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. downtown from Main and Cedar streets to Cascade Plaza

  • The fest includes a parade, music, games, food trucks, a school-supply giveaway, student info booths and talent, fashion and magic shows
  • Groups interested in participating in the parade have until Aug. 23 to submit information

Akron City Festival is intended to help “uplift and empower” Akron students as they head into the new school year, said Mayor Dan Horrigan.

“I welcome all Akron families to come join us downtown for the first ever Akron City Festival,” Horrigan said. “This festival will help us set the tone for our future leaders for their school year and provide some joy and entertainment for parents and kids alike.”

The parade will kick off the festival at 11 a.m. at Main and Cedar streets and end at Cascade Plaza, where the festival will take place.

The parade will showcase student athletes, extracurricular clubs and organizations.

Any youth-centric organization that wishes to participate in the parade can send an email with a description of the group by Aug. 23 to Akron’s Youth and Community Opportunity Director Denico Buckley-Knight.

The festival’s schedule includes the magic show at 3 p.m., the fashion show at 4 p.m. and the talent show at 5 p.m.

Night Lyfe Entertainment, which is hosting the festival, has scheduled casting calls for the fashion show for kids 6 to 16 on Sunday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 27 at Buchtel High School in the auditorium, 1040 Copley Road.

  • Casting call for kids 6-11 runs 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Casting call for kids 12-16 runs 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

All participants are encouraged to wear black. For more information, send an email or text "Model Call" to 234-205-7426.

Food trucks, a live DJ, games, giveaways and informational vendors for Akron youths will also be available at the festival.

Nearby, Lock 3 Park will be hosting the Akron Pizza Fest in Lock 3’s backyard, next to the Akron Civic Theatre, running Friday, Sept. 1 through Sunday, Sept. 3.

The Akron City Festival is presented by the city, hosted by Night Lyfe Entertainment, and supported by Akron Public Schools, UNKNWN, Lock 3, Akron Recreation and Parks, and Downtown Akron Partnership.

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