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🗞️ Fireworks, food trucks, and the world's weirdest wedding venue

🗞️ Fireworks, food trucks, and the world's weirdest wedding venue

Ben Boggs
July 04, 2025

Good Morning, Akron!

A judge in town is officiating weddings in front of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile next week, which honestly feels very on-brand for a city that put a rubber duck on a baseball team. We're not saying we have the most traditional approach to romance, but at least our love stories come with mustard.

Let’s dive into this week’s issue.

Guiding You Home, the Akron Way

As a second-generation Realtor and proud Akron resident, I know every corner of our city has a story to tell and so do the people that call it home. Whether you're buying your first home, moving into something that fits your growing life, or selling a property that’s been part of your family’s journey, I’m here to help you navigate what’s next.

Real estate runs deep in my roots. I’ve grown up around it, and I understand that no two transactions, or people, are the same. That’s why I bring care, clarity, and local insight to every client I serve. Akron isn’t just where I work—it’s home. And I’m passionate about helping others find their place in it.

When the time feels right, let’s talk. Your next chapter starts here.

Your Goals. My Commitment. Every Step of the Way.

Contact Info:
Contact Samantha Russell
Realtor®, Howard Hanna
513-349-0704
3030 W. Market St.
Fairlawn, OH 44333

The Digest

Gibbon Birth Has Zoo Going Bananas 🐒

The Akron Zoo is swinging into celebration mode after welcoming its second white-cheeked gibbon baby last Friday at 4:20 PM. Mom Parker and dad Milo are now proud parents again, with their first daughter Lolani serving as the excited big sister, who was born in December of 2021. This baby gibbon isn't just adorable—it's a conservation win. White-cheeked gibbons are native to Southeast Asia. The species is listed as critically endangered by IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, mainly from deforestation to create palm oil plantations. The native population of white-cheeked gibbons has decreased about 80% in the last 45 years. The zoo will announce a naming contest later, so start brainstorming your best monkey business names.

Say "I Do" to the Most Ridiculous Wedding Venue Ever 🌭

If you've ever dreamed of tying the knot with America's most beloved hot dog on wheels as your backdrop, your time has come. Akron Municipal Court Judge David Hamilton will host outdoor weddings with the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile as a backdrop for one hour on July 11. The ceremony happens at Cascade Locks Park from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM, perfectly timed with Free Lunch Fridays. The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will be present for photo opportunities both with the couples and members of the public. Judge Hamilton is clearly a man who knows how to relish the moment. Couples can get hitched outdoors while the public can snap pics with the 27-foot frankfurter. It's outdoor wedding season, but this one really takes the cake—or should we say, the hot dog.

Akron Bites 🍔

Fairlawn's food scene is about to level up with Jersey Mike's and Handel's both opening in the same building at 2935 W. Market St—a former karate studio next to Casa Del Rio Mexican Restaurant. Seems kind of ironic that a studio that used to teach discipline is now tempting you to follow up your Italian Sub with a sundae. Then again, life's too short not to enjoy a Number 13 with a couple scoops of Peanut Butter Ripple in one convenient stop. Both stores are expected to open in the coming weeks.

What’s Happening

Here is our list of hand-picked events around the area:

Akron's Birthday Bash Takes Over Downtown 🎉

The Heart of Akron Festival is turning downtown into party central this weekend, celebrating the city's 200th birthday in style. This isn't just any festival—it's replacing the usual Rib, White and Blue with something bigger and better for the bicentennial.

Here’s a breakdown of the festival:

Friday:

Lock 3 opens at 11:00 AM with a variety of food vendors
Live music on the Lock 3 stage from noon to 11:00 PM
Fireworks begin at 9:45 PM - visible from Main St., Lock 3, and Canal Park

Saturday:

Akron Bicentennial Parade Begins at 10:00 AM - said to be Akron’s biggest parade in 50 years.
Food vendors run from 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sample the City - A foodie experience featuring bit-sized signature dishes from over a dozen local restaurants. Runs from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Tickets Here.
Live Music running from 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Baseball with a Bang—RubberDucks Style ⚾

What’s more American than taking in a baseball game on July 4th weekend? The Akron RubberDucks are serving up a three-game weekend series against the Erie Sea Wolves with some special touches for the holiday weekend. Canal Park becomes the perfect complement to all the downtown festivities. Here’s the highlights for each night:

Friday - Independence Day Celebration - Fireworks after the game
Saturday - Akron Bicentennial Celebration - More Fireworks after the game
Sunday - Sunday Family FUNday - Play catch on field before the game, and kids under 12 can run the bases after the game.

Tickets for all the Rubber Ducks games here.

Cleveland Orchestra Brings Harry Potter Magic 🎼

The Cleveland Orchestra is casting spells at Blossom Music Center with their Harry Potter concert series. The wizarding world meets world-class orchestral music in an outdoor setting that's pure magic. Music from all the beloved films comes to life under the stars, making this the perfect date night or family outing for muggles of all ages. The Blossom venue adds extra enchantment with its natural amphitheater setting. Whether you're a die-hard Potterhead or just love great music, this concert promises to be more magical than a Patronus charm. Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 PM. Info Here

More Local independence Day Celebrations 🧨

Akron Weekend Movie Action 🎬️ 🎥

Nightlight Theatre

This is Spinal Tap
“This Is Spinal Tap shines a light on the self-contained universe of a metal band struggling to get back on the charts, including everything from its complicated history of ups and downs, gold albums, name changes and undersold concert dates, along with the full host of requisite groupies, promoters, hangers-on and historians, sessions, release events and those special behind-the-scenes moments that keep it all real.”
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Showtimes
40 Acres
“Hailey Freeman and her family are the last descendants of African American farmers who settled in rural Canada after the Civil War. In a famine-decimated near future, they now struggle to safeguard their farm, as they make one last stand against a vicious militia hell-bent on taking their 40 Acres.”
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Showtimes
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
“An aspiring author looking to get more out of life takes up a writing residency and finds herself in the sort of romantic entanglements that could come from the pages of a Jane Austen novel.”
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Showtimes
Eephus
“As an imminent construction project looms over their beloved small-town baseball field, a pair of New England rec-league teams face off for the last time. Tensions flare up and ceremonial laughs are shared as an era of camaraderie and escapism fades into an uncertain future.”
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Showtimes

Highland Theatre

F1: The Movie
“A Formula One driver comes out of retirement to mentor and team up with a younger driver.” (IMDB)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Showtimes

Live Music Breakdown

Friday

Musica | Tyler Bohinc/Fast & Backwards/Others | 7:00

Saturday

BLU Jazz+ | The Stix Trio | 8:00
Highland Square Mustard Seed | QS Jazz | 8:30

Weather

Today

86 🌡️ 64 | ⛅️ | 1% 🌧️

Saturday

91 🌡️ 68 | ⛅️ | 4% 🌧️

Sunday

93 🌡️ 71 | ☀️ | 1% 🌧️

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Talk to you next Friday!