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🗞️ Hot Air Alert

🗞️ Hot Air Alert

June 06, 2025

Good Morning, Akron!

Big week for blimps! It's funny how we take for granted seeing these giant helium-filled ships as we drive down the highway. But it's something that is uniquely Akron—one hundred years of us all pointing and saying 'Look, the blimp!'

Let’s dive into this week’s issue.

The Digest

Century of Hot Air Gets the Royal Treatment 🛩️

Tuesday evening marked exactly 100 years since Goodyear's first commercial blimp took flight, and the company decided to throw the kind of party only they could pull off—by bringing all three of their U.S. airships home to Akron for a victory lap. Wingfoot One got the star treatment with a special throwback paint job matching the original 1925 Pilgrim's black and gray scheme, while its siblings from Florida and California tagged along for the historic reunion. The aerial procession couldn't have been timed better, providing a dramatic backdrop for both Mayor Malik's State of the City address and the RubberDucks game downtown. What started as a simple PR stunt in 1925 has evolved into genuine pop culture iconography—these floating billboards have appeared in Hollywood blockbusters and hovered over countless championship games. With only 1,200 annual passengers across all blimps, most of us earthbound folks had to settle for smartphone photos and neck cramps from looking up. But hey, witnessing aviation history beats doom-scrolling any day.

$6 Million to Get the Lead Out 🏠

Summit County residents just got some serious help tackling a toxic problem lurking in their walls. The county landed a hefty $6 million federal grant over four years to fund a new lead removal program for income-qualified households with children. This comes on top of existing programs, and here's the kicker—the new Lead Safe Ohio initiative doesn't even require a lead test to qualify, unlike traditional abatement programs. With an estimated 33,000 local homes potentially harboring lead paint hazards (thanks to 75% of county housing being built before lead paint was banned), this funding couldn't come at a better time. The program covers everything from window replacement to siding and porch repairs. If you're thinking your 1950s charmer might need some help, applications are rolling and the county is encouraging folks to jump on this opportunity while the funding lasts.

Harvest for Hunger Hits Record Heights 🚐

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank just wrapped the 34th annual Havest for Hunger Campaign , raising funds and food that will provide as many as 4.5 million meals across Northeast Ohio. This annual springtime drive—a collaborative effort between four local food banks spanning 21 counties—proved that community spirit is alive and well, with everything from workplace giving to grocery store checkout donations adding up to massive impact. The success couldn't come at a more critical time, as the foodbank distributed a record-breaking 31.4 million meals in 2024, marking a 16% increase from the previous year. Instead of hosting their usual thank-you reception, foodbank officials decided to hit the road with a "thankful caravan," personally visiting supporters like Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Akron Children's Hospital, and Giant Eagle. President Dan Flowers emphasized that every pancake breakfast and PTO raffle contributed to making this one of the largest annual food drives in the nation, proving that when neighbors help neighbors, the results can feed thousands.

What’s Happening

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

Brewery Master Class With a Twist 🍺

Hoppin' Frog Brewery is cracking open the vault for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience you won't find on any regular Friday night. This Akron institution is hosting a brewmaster's guided tasting that'll take you deep into founder Fred's secret stash of cellar-aged treasures. Tonight from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, you'll sip your way through rare vintages while hearing the stories behind each brew—think of it as storytelling with a very tasty twist. The brewery's known for their world-class stouts and porters, but this event promises some seriously unique finds that never make it to the regular tap list. Located on East Waterloo Road, Hoppin' Frog has been making waves in the craft beer world since 2006, and this tasting offers a chance to experience why they're consistently ranked among the world's top brewers. Info Here

Summer Patio Concert Hits Downtown 🎵

Did you know that the Akron Civic has an outdoor patio that will be hosting free music every Friday this summer? Tonight will feature Babies in Black starting at 5:00 PM, offering the perfect way to transition from work week to weekend mode. Beth Hiser (upright bass) and Rachel Roberts (guitar) will bring their signature vocal harmonies and arrangements to hits spanning 1955-1968, covering everyone from The Beatles and Everly Brothers to Lesley Gore and The Drifters. This isn't your typical cover band—Roberts brings serious underground Akron rock credibility, having shared stages with Chrissie Hynde and The Black Keys, while Hiser is a music professor and Associate Dean at Baldwin Wallace's Conservatory. Their unique chemistry has taken them to festivals nationwide, including the yearly Kent BeatleFest, proving they know how to work a crowd. The outdoor plaza setting is perfect for their style, creating that intimate patio party vibe where classic hits meet summer evening energy. It's the kind of sophisticated yet accessible music that makes downtown Akron's cultural scene shine. Info Here

Farm Fresh Finds and Vintage Vibes 🚜

Heritage Farms in Peninsula is celebrating a full decade of bringing the flea market experience to their picturesque 177-year-old family farm grounds. The Peninsula Flea returns Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM with over 50 vendors spread across two barns, under shade trees, and throughout the field, creating a treasure hunt atmosphere against the backdrop of their Christmas tree farm. This isn't your typical parking lot flea market—we're talking about a scenic Cuyahoga Valley setting where you can browse handmade jewelry, pottery, vintage clothing, artisanal foods, and unique collectibles while breathing in that fresh country air. Entry and parking are completely free, and food trucks keep you fueled for a full day of browsing. Rain or shine, the event happens, and seasoned flea market veterans know that the vendor mix changes each month, making every visit a fresh adventure. The farm's location in the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park means you can easily combine this with hiking or other outdoor activities for a perfect day trip. Info Here

Duck Derby Brings Canal Splashes 🦆

Cascade Locks Park is hosting their beloved annual Duck Derby Saturday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, where rubber ducks take center stage in races down the Ohio & Erie Canal. This family-friendly fundraiser supports both the Cascade Locks Park Association and the historic Mustill Store Museum, making your fun directly contribute to preserving Akron's canal heritage. For just $10, you can sponsor a rubber duck and watch it navigate the historic locks that once helped canal boats climb 70 feet in half a mile back in the 1800s. The park setting is spectacular—you're literally standing where Akron's industrial story began, surrounded by the restored locks that made the city possible. Beyond the duck races, expect food, games, and crafts in this unique downtown oasis that connects the urban core to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It's one of those perfectly Akron events where history, community spirit, and quirky fun collide in the best possible way. Info Here

Firefighters Face Off in Ultimate Showdown 🔥

Downtown Cuyahoga Falls transforms into an arena of friendly competition as eighteen firefighter teams from fifteen area departments square off in the 4th Annual Falls Fire Showdown Smoke on the Water. Tonight from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, these real-life heroes will compete in relay challenges that showcase their skills, strength, and teamwork, with the main competition kicking off at 6:00 PM. This isn't just about bragging rights—all proceeds benefit the Cuyahoga Falls Firefighters Memorial Foundation and the construction of a permanent memorial featuring the historic fire department bell. The family-friendly atmosphere includes food trucks serving everything from cheese steaks to Latin street corn, craft beer from local breweries like HiHO and Missing Mountain, plus 80s hits from Cleveland's Breakfast Club taking the amphitheater stage from 8-10 PM. Watching firefighters in action while supporting a meaningful cause makes this the perfect blend of entertainment and community spirit. Front Street will be closed for the event, so plan your route accordingly—but trust us, this spectacle is worth any parking hassle. Info Here

Easter Egg: Digital Archaeology Edition 🏬

During our research for this newsletter, we often stumble upon cool and unusual tidbits about Akron. We thought we'd share this one with you.

Chapel Hill Mall (RIP) still has a working website. Did they pay their web hosting bill five years in advance? The odd thing is there's an active section from 2004—you'll know because they talk about screensavers. You can check it out here.

That led us to wonder: Could we find older versions anywhere? Thank you, Wayback Machine. Here is the Mall’s store directory from June 2001. (RIP Kaufmann's)

Akron Weekend Movie Action 🎬️ 🎥

Nightlight Theatre

The Phoenician Scheme
“The story of a family and a family business.”
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
Showtimes

Highland Theatre

Lilo & Stitch
“A fugitive alien helps a lonely Hawaiian girl mend her broken family.” (Rotten Tomatoes)
Rotten Tomatoes: 69%
Showtimes

Live Music Breakdown

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

Friday

Saturday

Weather

Today

74 🌡️ 57 | ⛈️ | 88% 🌧️

Saturday

77 🌡️ 58 | ☀️ | 1% 🌧️

Sunday

76 🌡️ 62 | ⛅️ | 40% 🌧️

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Talk to you next Friday!