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🗞️ Prehistoric Happy Hour

🗞️ Prehistoric Happy Hour

June 20, 2025

Good Morning, Akron!

Akron’s turning into a microwave starting this weekend, followed by a 96 degree day on Monday. Whether you cool off with a pool, a slip 'n slide, or just a cold drink pressed to your forehead, do what you gotta do. We won't judge.

Let’s dive into this week’s issue.

The Digest

Golf's Senior Circuit Swings Into the Rubber City ⛳

The Kaulig Companies Championship returns to Firestone Country Club this week, bringing professional golf back to Akron for our region's only major golf tournament. Think of it as the Olympics for golfers over 50—these guys may have gray hair, but they can still crush a golf ball better than most people half their age. World Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els is defending his title, while 55-year-old Ángel Cabrera is trying to make history by winning three majors in a row (something that's never been done before). But here's the best part: it's not just about golf. The four-day event features food trucks, putt-putt, face painting, and evening concerts with rising country star Conner Smith on Friday and Ohio rockers Red Wanting Blue on Saturday. It's basically a festival that happens to have really, really good golf as the main attraction. If you want to swing by to check it out this weekend, check out their fan guide here.

Big Money Move for Akron Healthcare 🏥

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has conditionally approved the $485 million sale of Akron-based Summa Health to General Catalyst subsidiary Health Assurance Transformation Company, but with some serious strings attached. The most important condition requires $30 million ($15M in cash and $15M in equity) to be transferred to Summa's nonprofit foundation created "to benefit the people of Summit and surrounding counties who are served by the system". The deal will help Summa Health clear $850 million in existing debt while securing the health system's nonprofit mission and ensuring continued investment in the greater Akron community. This massive healthcare transaction represents a significant shift in how nonprofit health systems can evolve while maintaining their community focus, setting a precedent for similar deals nationwide.

King James Makes Racing Dreams Reality 🏁

LeBron James kept a promise to I PROMISE student CeCe Wilson, sending the Akron high schooler to the NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway after the student asked about racing career opportunities during a virtual Ohio State University class. CeCe got the full VIP experience, meeting RFK Racing drivers Chris Buescher, Brad Keselowski, and Ryan Preece, spending time in the pit, touring the garage, and seeing behind-the-scenes operations during the race. CeCe called it the best experience of his life, and his father was equally impressed by the NASCAR experience. The collaboration between LeBron's Family Foundation and RFK Racing (where LeBron is a partner through Fenway Sports Group) showcases how sports superstars can open doors that seem impossible for young dreamers. Nothing like one kid from Akron helping another follow their passion.

What’s Happening

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

Pink Floyd's Psychedelic Spectacular Returns 🌈

Wish You Were Here - The Sight & Sound of Pink Floyd returns to Akron Civic Theatre on Saturday at 8:00 PM, with its "50/30 Anniversary Tour" to benefit the Akron Children's Pediatric Palliative Care Center. This isn't just any tribute band - they're celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Pink Floyd's iconic 1975 album plus the tribute act's own 30th Anniversary by performing the Wish You Were Here album in its entirety plus Pink Floyd classics. You'll experience a full sensory journey with a 10-piece band performing everything 100% live without backing tracks, complete with lighting, vintage videos, sound effects and flying inflatables from the classic years, plus a spectacular laser light show. Since 2013, this band's benefit concerts have raised over $219,000 for Akron Children's, and they're hoping this show helps push them over the $250,000 milestone. The atmosphere promises to be electric, combining sight and sound to capture the mood, emotions, and intensity that made Pink Floyd legendary. Info Here

Outlaw Legends Ride Into Blossom 🤠

Willie Nelson & Family and Bob Dylan headline the Outlaw Music Festival at Blossom Music Center on Saturday starting at 4:00 PM, joined by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and Myron Elkins. This festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with two of America's most iconic musical storytellers. Willie Nelson brings his warm, crowd-pleasing set of hits that feel welcome in practically every home in America, while Bob Dylan delivers his unpredictable, artistically driven performances that keep even hardcore fans guessing. The festival atmosphere combines the "old, weird America" vibe both legends embody, creating that perfect "outlaw" feeling where ragged-but-right music meets passionate fandom. This touring festival has become one of North America's largest annual touring franchises, and both headliners appear at every show on the tour. Info Here

Drink With the Dinosaurs 🦕

The Akron Zoo's "Drink with the Extinct" Brew at the Zoo event on Saturday from 6:30-9:30 PM combines adult beverages with prehistoric adventure. You'll sample beer and wine from local breweries and wineries while experiencing 20 life-size animatronic dinosaurs as part of the zoo's DinoTrek exhibit. Your ticket includes 8 sample tastings and admission to the zoo after hours, plus you can grab snacks from local food trucks. This adults-only evening (21+) lets you explore the zoo in a completely different atmosphere, where the roars might be animatronic but the fun is definitely real. The combination of craft beverages, prehistoric creatures, and after-hours zoo access creates an experience that's equal parts educational and entertaining. Info Here

Movies Under the Stars Return 🎬

Flix on the Falls is back for summer movie magic in downtown Cuyahoga Falls! Tonight at 6:30 PM, you can dive into adventure with Moana 2, but that's just the beginning of this family-friendly extravaganza. Before the movie starts at dusk, you'll be treated to live music that sets the perfect mood for an evening under the stars. Kids will go wild for the exciting reptile show—because nothing says "family night out" like getting up close with some scaly friends. Food trucks will be serving up tasty treats to fuel your movie-watching stamina, and bouncy inflatables will let the little ones burn off energy before settling in for the show. The City of Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Department has created the perfect recipe for summer evening entertainment: combine one animated adventure, add live entertainment, mix in delicious food, and serve under a blanket of stars. It's the kind of wholesome fun that makes you remember why summer nights are magical. Info Here

Vintage Treasures Hit Downtown Akron 🛍️

Ohio Vintage Fest is making its Akron debut at the John S. Knight Center this Sunday from 12:00-5:00 PM, bringing retro treasures and throwback vibes to downtown for the first time ever. This marks the twentieth Ohio Vintage Fest, and they're celebrating by letting over 60 vendors loose with everything from vintage clothing and vinyl records to home goods, toys, collectibles, and other nostalgic gems that'll transport you straight back to the good old days. General admission is just $5 (online or at the door), while Early Bird tickets ($10) get you in at 11 AM for first dibs on the best finds before the crowds arrive. Kids under 12 get in free, making this a perfect family treasure hunt where everyone can find something special. Whether you're hunting for that perfect vintage band tee, a rare vinyl to complete your collection, or unique home décor that screams personality, this festival is basically a time machine where you can actually buy souvenirs from decades past. The Knight Center provides the perfect backdrop for this nostalgic shopping adventure. Info Here

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

85 🌡️ 65 | ☀️ | 3% 🌧️

Saturday

90 🌡️ 71 | ⛅️ | 5% 🌧️

Sunday

94 🌡️ 73 | ☀️ | 1% 🌧️

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Talk to you next Friday!