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🗞️ Fall Festivals are Here
Akron Digest
October 3, 2025
Good Morning, Akron!
Spooky season is officially here. 🎃
Today’s trick-or-treating actually echoes a medieval custom called “souling,” where people went door-to-door for food in exchange for prayers.
But the holiday’s roots go deeper—back to the Celtic festival of Samhain, when bonfires blazed and masks were worn to scare off evil spirits.
If that is the holiday’s true purpose, maybe I should return my inflatable hot dog costume.
Let’s dive into this week’s issue.
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🗞️ The Digest
Hero at the Finish Line ❤️
The Akron Marathon experienced dramatic moments near the finish line late Saturday morning. Around 11:35 a.m., a male runner collapsed in cardiac arrest. Fortunately, nurse practitioner Dan Molnar, who works in Summa Health’s Critical Care Department, was standing nearby. Molnar was waiting for his fiancée to finish the race.
Molnar immediately hurdled the barricade and began CPR. He performed two rounds of compressions for crucial minutes until the runner's pulse returned. The runner was then transported to the hospital, and it has been reported that he is recovering.
Great job, Dan!
Akron's Summa Health Goes For-Profit in $515M Deal
Akron-based Summa Health just completed its sale to venture capital-backed HATCo (owned by General Catalyst) for $515 million, making it Northeast Ohio's only for-profit major hospital system.
The deal wipes out Summa's $850 million debt and promises $550 million in new investments over seven years. All 8,500 employees keep their jobs, and services like charity care and emergency departments will continue.
What's changing? Expect more tech—AI note-taking during doctor visits is already rolling out, and online scheduling is coming soon. A new community foundation will receive hundreds of millions from the sale proceeds.
Critics worry about for-profit healthcare's track record, but Ohio's Attorney General added strict conditions: HATCo can't sell facilities or cut essential services for 10 years without approval.
The next year will focus on stabilizing operations before launching broader changes. For patients, it's business as usual—for now.
🔥 Top 5 Events This Week
Here is our list of hand-picked events around the area:
Summit County Fall Home Expo 🏡
Friday-Sunday, October 3-5 | Summit County Fairgrounds, Tallmadge
If your Pinterest board is full of kitchens and back patios, this one’s for you. The Fall Home Expo brings local and national pros under one roof—contractors, remodelers, landscapers, and designers ready to answer your “should we knock down that wall?” questions.
Admission is free, so you can wander, dream big, and maybe even walk out with a plan for your next project. Check their site for the full list of vendors and show specials.
Brew at the Zoo: Adult Halloween Party 🦇
Saturday, October 4 | 6:30-9:30 PM | Akron Zoo
Who says Halloween costumes are just for the kids? The Akron Zoo is throwing its monthly Brew at the Zoo with a spooky twist—come in costume, sample brews from local wineries and breweries (8 tastings included!), jam to live music, and maybe win that costume contest. Oh, and you'll be exploring the zoo after hours, which honestly feels like the plot of a really fun movie.
Tickets are $30, designated driver tickets available.
Ohio Plant Show 🌿
Saturday-Sunday, October 4-5 | John S. Knight Center, Downtown Akron
Plant parents, rejoice! This is Akron's first-ever Ohio Plant Show, featuring 40+ vendors from across the country with everything from carnivorous plants to rare orchids. There's a plant swap wall (bring your propagations!), kids' coloring activities, and enough greenery to make your apartment look like a botanical garden.
New York-based Botanical Soiree is bringing their popular show format to Northeast Ohio for the first time. Tickets start at $10.
Ohio Mart at Stan Hywet 🍂
Thursday-Sunday, October 2-5 | Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Stan Hywet's 58th annual Ohio Mart is back with a record-breaking 149 artisans showcasing everything your home didn't know it needed—handcrafted furniture, garden art, ceramics, jewelry, and more. Stroll the gorgeous grounds, grab some fall snacks from food vendors, and peek inside the Manor House (self-guided tours included). There's even a Stitchery Showcase and Vintage Finds booth for treasure hunters.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $8 for kids. Stan Hywet members get in free.
Lainey Wilson: Whirlwind World Tour 🎸
Saturday, October 4 | 7:00 PM | Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls
Grammy and CMA-winning country star Lainey Wilson is bringing her "Bell Bottom Country" sound to Blossom with special guests Muscadine Bloodline and Lauren Watkins. Fresh off hosting the CMAs and winning Entertainer of the Year, Wilson's tour celebrates her latest album Whirlwind—Rolling Stone called it "stellar" and Billboard praised it as "thoroughly country."
Expect hits like "Things a Man Oughta Know," high energy, and that signature Southern rock edge.
📌 Everything Else Worth Knowing
Some bonus picks from us:
🎶 Music & Live Performances
Travis Tritt
Saturday, October 4 | 8:00 PM | Akron Civic
The Grammy-winning country legend brings his Southern rock-influenced sound to the Civic for an acoustic evening.
More info →
Kathy Kosins
Friday, October 3 | 8:00 PM | BLU Jazz+
Detroit jazz and soul artist performs live at downtown Akron's premier jazz venue.
More info →
🍁 Fall Festivals & Outdoor Fun
Fall Family Outing - Munroe Falls
Saturday, October 4 | 2:00-7:00 PM | Munroe Falls Metro Park
FREE event with lumberjack shows, hayrides, bonfires, naturalist activities, music, and refreshments for all ages.
More info →
Winery at Wolf Creek Fall Festival
Saturday, October 4 | 12:00 PM-5:00 PM | The Winery at Wolf Creek
Live music all day, Cousins Maine Lobster food truck, vendors, fresh kettle corn, and free admission.
More info →
Lakeside Oktoberfest
Sunday, October 5 | 12:00 PM-6:00 PM | The Tudor House, Portage Lakes
FREE fall festival celebrating autumn with food, drinks, hayrides, and more.
More info →
🎭 Theater & Arts
The Hobbit
Starting October 2 | 7:30 PM (Matinees at 2:00 PM) | Greystone Hall
Ohio Shakespeare Festival brings Tolkien's classic to life with original music, a 26-foot dragon, and theatrical magic for the whole family.
More info →
Family Day: Saturday Morning Cartoons at the Museum
Saturday, October 4 | 10:00 AM-1:00 PM | Akron Art Museum
Bring your PJs and blankets for short films, art activities, and a cereal bar—free family fun in the museum lobby.
More info →
🎬️🎥 Akron Weekend Movie Action
Nightlight Theatre
Note: For a full list of showings, please visit one of the links below.
The Smashing Machine
“The solo directorial debut of Bennie Safdie, The Smashing Machine follows former MMA/UFC champion Mark Kerr's career peak during the "no-holds-bar era of UFC" in 2000”Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
Good Boy
“A loyal dog moves to a rural family home with his owner Todd, only to discover supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As dark entities threaten his human companion, the brave pup must fight to protect the one he loves most.”Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl
“Celebrate The Official Release Party of a Showgirl in theatres only October 3rd - 5th. See the exclusive world premiere of the music video, "The Fate of Ophelia", along with behind-the-scenes footage from the music video shoot, brand new lyric videos, and Taylor's never-before-seen personal reflections on songs from her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl.”
Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
Highland Theatre
Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl
See above. Tay-tay is really taking over Akron.Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
Weather
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Saturday
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Sunday
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Talk to you next Friday!