Akron Digest
October 10, 2025
Good Morning, Akron!
One of this year’s Nobel Prize winners in Medicine missed the life-changing phone call because he was off-grid on a hiking trip. His boss said he was “living his best life”—which, apparently, means trading cell service for sunsets.
I’ve got to say—nothing screams “I’ve made it” quite like letting the Nobel committee go to voicemail.
Let’s dive into this week’s issue.
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🗞 The Digest
Reservoir Park Community Center Reopens After $10M Renovation 🏊
Akron's Goodyear Heights neighborhood celebrated a major milestone Tuesday as city officials cut the ribbon on the completely renovated Reservoir Park Community Center and Pool. The $10 million transformation, funded by American Rescue Plan Act dollars, includes a new 15-foot slide, climbing wall, lap lanes, and shallow play area at the pool, plus an expanded 4,800-square-foot community center with meeting rooms, kitchen, art and game spaces.
The community center opens for programming in November, with the pool reopening next spring. Originally built in 1933, the beloved neighborhood gathering spot now offers modern amenities while preserving its historic charm for future generations.
Dancing with the Stars: Live! Kicks Off 2026 Tour in Akron ✨
The hit TV franchise launches its 74-date North American tour right here in Akron on January 22, 2026, at the Akron Civic Theatre. Following a sold-out 2025 run, the show features professional dancers including Brandon Armstrong, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, and Emma Slater performing standout routines from Season 34 plus brand-new choreography by Emmy-winner Mandy Moore.
Tickets go on sale today at 10 AM on Ticketmaster.
🔥 Top 5 Events This Week
Here is our list of hand-picked events around the area:
Pints and Pies: Craft Beer and Pizza Festival 🍕
Friday, October 10 | 7:00 PM | Akron Civic Theatre
Sample from almost 100 beers from local and out-of-state breweries paired with every type of pie imaginable—pizza, savory, and sweet. Stations are organized by beer style rather than brewery, making it easy to explore everything from fruit beers to stouts. Pizza vendors include local favorites like Jet's Pizza, Twisted Tomato, and Dewey's, plus The Gardner Pie Company for dessert pies.
The event is 21+. Tickets available at the Akron Civic Theatre box office or online.
Fall Farmers Market at House Three Thirty 🍂
Saturday, October 11 | 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM | House Three Thirty
Fresh off its successful summer debut, House Three Thirty's Fall Farmers Market returns with seasonal produce, artisanal foods, and homemade goods from local farmers and small businesses. Browse vendors inside HomeTown Hall while enjoying a specialized menu at Heart of the House, plus Secret Pizza, the Sweet Shop, and even self-guided tours of LeBron James' Home Court.
Free admission—just come hungry and leave fulfilled!
Boo at the Zoo: Ultimate Fall Fest 🎃
Saturday & Sunday, October 11-12 | 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM | Akron Zoo
The Akron Zoo is shaking things up for its 38th year! This refreshed fall experience features themed areas like Halloween Town and Witch's Lair, classic fall games (potato toss, pumpkin bowling), character meet-and-greets, a mini corn maze, and the Enchanted Candy Trail for trick-or-treating. Plus, adults 21+ can enjoy the special Oktoberfest area with local craft brews.
Treater tickets range from $16-$20.
Horror Short Film Festival 🎬
Saturday, October 11 | 4:00 PM | Akron Civic Theatre
Prepare for a thrilling evening of indie horror! From 4-6 PM, browse horror and film vendors for spine-tingling merch. Then settle in for 2.5 hours of original independent horror shorts (6-8:30 PM), followed by an awards ceremony. This one-night-only event celebrates Ohio-centric filmmakers in Killer Video's second annual festival.
Recommended for ages 12+; attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Thirsty Dog Blues & Brews 🍺
Saturday, October 11 | 2:00 PM | Lock 3 Park, Akron
Sample from 40 breweries while enjoying live music and food. VIP tickets (12-2 PM) include lunch. The best part? Proceeds benefit the Humane Society and Rubber City Rescue, so you're drinking for a good cause.
VIP and general admission tickets available on Eventbrite.
📌 Everything Else Worth Knowing
Some bonus picks from us:
🎶 Music & Live Performances
Pop Punk Night
Saturday, October 11 | 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM | The Workz, Cuyahoga Falls
Cleveland's Taking Off Monday delivers two live sets of nostalgic hits from Blink-182, Green Day, Offspring, and more pop punk favorites.
More info →
The Rush Experience
Saturday, October 11 | 7:30 PM | Goodyear Theater
A Rush tribute band bringing the progressive rock legends' greatest hits to life on stage.
More info →
So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience
Sunday, October 12 | 4:00 PM | E.J. Thomas Hall
Broadway star Robert Neary delivers an authentic tribute featuring 20 of Neil Diamond's greatest hits, from "Sweet Caroline" to "Cherry Cherry."
More info →
👻 Festivals & Halloween Fun
Downtown Falls Trick-or-Treat
Sunday, October 12 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Downtown Cuyahoga Falls
Dress up and collect goodies from participating businesses and organizations spanning a one-mile stretch of downtown.
More info →
Target Truck or Treat
Saturday, October 11 | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Target Parking Lot, Cuyahoga Falls
Fifteen food trucks serving food and handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, plus a live DJ for entertainment.
More info →
Adult Trick-or-Treat Through the Winery
Saturday October 11 | 6:30 PM | The Winery at Wolf Creek, Norton
Adults-only trick-or-treating featuring wine tastings and Halloween-themed pairings throughout the beautiful winery grounds.
More info →
Oatmeal Festival
Saturday, October 11 | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Cascade Locks Park
Celebrate Akron's oatmeal heritage! Live music, food trucks, and art displays as part of Akron's bicentennial celebration.
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%
Gremlins 2: The New Batch
“Young sweethearts Billy and Kate move to the Big Apple, land jobs in a high-tech office park and soon reunite with the friendly and lovable Gizmo. But a series of accidents creates a whole new generation of Gremlins. The situation worsens when the devilish green creatures invade a top-secret laboratory and develop genetically altered powers, making them even harder to destroy!”Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
Anemone
“Family bonds between fathers, sons, and brothers are explored as complex relationships unfold through personal journeys and generational conflicts.”
Rotten Tomatoes: 54%
Highland Theatre
Tron: Ares
“A highly sophisticated Program, Ares, is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission.” (IMDB)Rotten Tomatoes: 54%
Weather
Today
67 🌡️ 49 | ☀ | 0% 🌧️
Saturday
65 🌡️ 44 | ☀ | 25% 🌧️
Sunday
65 🌡️ 48 | 🌦 | 84% 🌧️
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Talk to you next Friday!
