Akron Digest
Posts
🗞️ Gordon Ramsay is lurking around The Falls

🗞️ Gordon Ramsay is lurking around The Falls

June 13, 2025

Good Morning, Akron!

Yesterday, my daughter asked, “Can I have a book mark?”, and I burst into tears. Nine years old and she still doesn’t know that my name is Ben.

Happy Early Father’s Day. In this week’s issue:

Gordon Ramsay comes to town
Trash fighting superhero
Irish Stouts all weekend

Let’s dive into this week’s issue.

The Digest

Firestone Park's Trash-Fighting Hero Hits 1 Million 🗑️

The superhero we didn't know we needed was right here in Firestone Park. Debbie Miller has just hit an absolutely bonkers milestone - picking up one million pieces of trash in just over two years. This all started when her dog cut his nose on broken glass, sparking what might be the most productive anger response in Akron history. While most of us complain about litter and move on, Debbie grabbed some gloves and got to work. She discovered how much she loves being able to help beautify her neighborhood, and meanwhile You can follow her journey on her blog, where she's basically documenting the world's most satisfying one-person cleanup crew. And now, I’m feeling really guilty about my empty Starbucks cup that has been riding shotgun with me all week.

Hell's Kitchen Comes to the Falls 👨‍🍳

Gordon Ramsay has been spotted filming at Lyla's Family Restaurant in Cuyahoga Falls and dining at Fahrenheit in Cleveland, and the local social media is having an absolute field day. The celebrity chef famous for screaming about lamb sauce was seen with full camera crews and equipment outside the Bailey Road restaurant, making everyone wonder if Lyla's is about to get the full Kitchen Nightmares treatment. Although murmurs circle Ramsay's new series Secret Service, show producer Maria Afshari confirmed that the filming is not for that show, so we're left playing TV show guessing games. Between the fancy dinner at Fahrenheit and the mysterious filming at Lyla's, one thing's for sure: Northeast Ohio's food scene just got a serious upgrade in star power.

Ed Davis Community Center Gets a Glow-Up 🏢

The city just opened its newly renovated Ed Davis Community Center, and it's giving serious community hub energy. The community center is newly renovated with a new gymnasium, indoor walking track, teen room, multipurpose rooms, and outdoor playground. This $7.8 million makeover was part of a city-wide assessment to figure out which community centers needed the most TLC, and Ed Davis won the renovation lottery. The facility now looks like the kind of place where neighborhood kids will actually want to hang out (shocking concept, we know), complete with all the bells and whistles that make a community center feel like the beating heart of the neighborhood rather than a sad afterthought.

What’s Happening

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

Chrome Bumpers and Classic Vibes 🚗

The 67th Classic, Antique & Collector Car Show at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens takes place on Father's Day, featuring 400 classic, antique and collector cars manufactured from 1915-2000 on display on the Great Meadow. This year's show is celebrating the Ford Thunderbird's 70th anniversary, because apparently even cars get milestone birthdays. Sunday from 9 AM to 3 PM, this isn't just any car show—it's one of the oldest automobile shows in the U.S., which basically makes it the granddaddy of all car shows. Tickets are $16 for adults, $8 for youth ages 3-17, and include a self-guided tour of the Manor House and gardens. Pro tip: parking is off-site with free shuttles. Info Here

Irish Eyes Are Smiling This Weekend ☘️

The 2025 Riverfront Irish Festival runs all weekend at Falls River Square in Cuyahoga Falls, featuring three stages of music, the Irish Market Place with traditional Irish and American fare, Irish Mass on Sunday, and Traditional Irish dance. With activities running throughout the day, this is basically a three-day Irish party with zero cover charge. Admission is free and parking is free, which feels pretty generous for a weekend this packed with entertainment. Whether you're actually Irish or just enjoy pretending to be for the weekend, this festival delivers authentic energy with live music, traditional dancing, and enough Guinness to make everyone feel a little more connected to the Emerald Isle. Info Here

Newsies Hit the Stage with Extra! Extra! Energy 📰

All-City Musical Presents Disney's Newsies The Broadway Musical at Akron Civic Theatre with shows on Saturday at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sunday at 2:30 PM. This isn't your typical community theater production—it's the full Disney treatment with all the high-energy choreography and catchy songs that made the Broadway show a hit. The story of newspaper boys fighting for fair wages hits different when you realize these kids were basically running their own small businesses in 1899 New York. Expect serious vocal chops, impressive dance numbers, and enough inspiration to make you want to seize the day (or at least your weekend). Info Here

Lock 3 Gets Rocked 🎸

Downtown Akron's summer concert series kicks into high gear with Draw the Line featuring Red Rose Panic taking the Lock 3 Stage Tonight at 7:00. This is the kind of show that transforms Lock 3 from a downtown plaza into an actual music venue. The beauty of Lock 3 concerts is the laid-back vibe—bring a chair, grab some food from nearby vendors, and enjoy live music in the heart of downtown. Plus, Akron Civic is continuing it’s summer concert series next door on their patio, with Backwoods performing at 6:00, so downtown Akron is basically throwing itself a big Friday night party. Both events are free! You can see this summer’s Lock 3 schedule here.

Feline Fancy Takes Center Stage 🐱

The Great Lakes Regional Awards Show presented by CFA will be held at the John S. Knight Center on Saturday and Sunday, this is where cat enthusiasts gather to showcase their beloved feline companions in what's essentially the Westminster Dog Show, but for cats (and arguably more dramatic). Cat shows are a feline lover's paradise, where the beauty, grace, and charm of cats take center stage, with a variety of cat breeds on display. Whether you're a crazy cat person or just curious about what competitive cat judging looks like, this event delivers serious feline glamour with breeds ranging from fluffy Persians to sleek Siamese. Info Here

Akron Bites 🍔

If you're crazy about fresh fruit, your time has come. The Fruit Truck is rolling into Akron on Saturday, bringing fresh Georgia peaches, blackberries, and honey straight from the farm to Guy's Party Center on Waterloo Road. They will only be there for 30 minutes, starting at 2:45 PM, so be ready! This isn't your grocery store produce section—we're talking farm-fresh goodness that actually tastes like it was picked yesterday (because it probably was). Whether you're planning to make the world's most Instagram-worthy peach cobbler or just want to remember what fruit is supposed to taste like, this mobile farmers market is bringing the orchard to you. Check out their website for more info.

Akron Weekend Movie Action 🎬️ 🎥

Nightlight Theatre

The Phoenician Scheme
“The story of a family and a family business.”
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
Showtimes
The Life of Chuck
“Charles 'Chuck' Krantz experiences the wonder of love, the heartbreak of loss, and the multitudes contained in all of us..”
Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
Showtimes

Highland Theatre

How To Train Your Dragon
“As an ancient threat endangers both Vikings and dragons alike on the isle of Berk, the friendship between Hiccup, an inventive Viking, and Toothless, a Night Fury dragon, becomes the key to both species forging a new future together.” (IMDB)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
Showtimes

Live Music Breakdown

Here is a summary of live music happening all around Akron this weekend:

Friday

Saturday

Weather

Today

79 🌡️ 65 | ⛈️ | 41% 🌧️

Saturday

76 🌡️ 61 | ⛈️ | 88% 🌧️

Sunday

79 🌡️ 63 | ⛅️ | 40% 🌧️

Thanks!

Thanks for reading Akron Digest today. If you found this newsletter useful, please share it with someone you know.

If you are reading this and you are not subscribed, you can do so here.

Talk to you next Friday!