🗞️ Akron’s Big Weekend: Free Zoo Day, Holiday Mart, and Rockin’ Events

Akron Digest

Good Morning! Thanks for being a Akron Digest subscriber. Our goal is to give you a quick rundown of what’s happening around the Akron area like a friend would tell you.

We’ll give you a quick hit of news and upcoming events each Friday morning. Generally, we use two guidelines:

• No politics

• No violent or doom-and-gloom news

Unless, of course, it’s so big we think you should know. The news is depressing enough as it is. We’ll keep things fun and wholesome for you.

Let’s get to it.

The Digest

🏌️ Topgolf comes to Akron 🏌️ 

Topgolf officially opens its Akron location today, taking over the former BigShots Golf Firestone. If you’ve never been, think of a gamified driving range, with food and drinks.

With 44 climate-controlled bays, target games, virtual courses, and a tasty menu, it’s your new go-to spot for golf and grub in Akron.

The new location is offering half-price gameplay from today through November 21st (events excluded). Topgolf will honor Bigshots Golf Firestone gift cards as well. Details on their website.

Trash goes high tech 🗑️ 

If you’re wondering how long you can procrastinate before raking your leaves out to the curb, Akron unveiled an online dashboard for leaf collection. It shows real-time updates of leaf removal crews, and you can find your house on their map to see when the next pick up will be. You can check out the dashboard here.

Lock 3 Grand Reopening Announced 🌳 

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik announced that the newly revamped Lock 3 will reopen with a grand celebration on Friday, Nov. 29, right after the Welcome Santa Parade. Expect a packed night with music, a ribbon-cutting, a dazzling drone show, ice carving, and plenty of photo ops with Santa and The Grinch. Highlights of the $17M makeover include shaded seating, gardens, artwork, two skating areas, and the stunning Maynard Performance Pavilion. With this transformation, Lock 3 shifts from a seasonal venue to a year-round community hub.

If you want to see Lock 3’s winter activities and schedule: Here is the info.

What’s Happening?

Here is a breakdown of events happening this weekend:

Get the Led Out - Rocking in Akron Tonight 🎸

Calling all Classic Rock fans! If you’re looking to get your dose of Zeppelin, look no further. The nationally acclaimed Led Zeppelin cover band, Get the Led Out, is hitting the stage tonight at 7:30 PM at the Goodyear Theater. Expect epic riffs, powerhouse vocals, and a whole lotta love for the classics. Tickets starting at $35

Free Day at Akron Zoo

Bring out your patriotic flair for a wild deal! This weekend, the Akron Zoo is rolling out its “Red, White, and Zoo Days” celebration. Show up Saturday or Sunday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. decked out in your best red, white, or blue gear, and you’ll score free admission.

Akron Comicon: Everyone's a Hero!

Calling all comic fans! 🦸‍♂️ Akron Comicon is back for its 11th year, bringing family-friendly fun and pop culture magic to town. Meet TV legends Jerry Mathers (Leave it to Beaver) and Butch Patrick (The Munsters) while you celebrate all things comic books and fandom. Join the mission to keep Akron's geek culture thriving—cosplay optional. The event will be going on Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 10-4 at Emidio’s Expo Center in Cuyahoga Falls. Check their website for more info.

Derek Hough: Dance for the Holidays

Get ready to sleigh this holiday season! 🎄 Emmy Award winner Derek Hough’s Dance for the Holidays brings festive cheer and jaw-dropping choreography to the stage in a family-friendly holiday spectacular. Expect a blend of classic carols and modern hits, brought to life by Hough and his phenomenal cast. With choreography by Emmy winners NappyTabs, this show promises all the sparkle, joy, and dance magic your season needs.

The show is tonight at 8:00 PM at the Civic Theater. Tickets still available from $45. You can buy them at Ticketmaster.

50th Annual Holiday Mart 🎅 

Head to the 2024 Holiday Mart at Summit County Fairgrounds this Saturday and Sunday. With 230+ vendors, you’ll find everything from festive treats to handmade crafts and holiday decor. And yes, Santa himself will be making an appearance for photos with the little ones.

Tickets are $5. More info on Summit County Fairgrounds website.

Weather

Today

60 🌡️ 38 | ☀️ | 1% 🌧️ 

Saturday

55 🌡️ 47 | ⛅️ | 2% 🌧️ 

Sunday

59 🌡️ 48 | 🌧️ | 91% 🌧️

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Talk to you next Friday!