Akron Digest
October 31, 2025
Good Morning, Akron!
Daylight Saving Time officially ends this weekend, meaning clocks “fall back” an hour at 2 AM Sunday. That’s one extra hour of sleep. Unless you have kids or pets, in which case, congratulations on being up at 5 AM instead of 6.
Let’s dive into this week’s issue.
Sponsored by Samantha Russell, Realtor, Howard Hanna
Haunted Homes and Akron Oddities
Akron isn’t just full of character—it’s full of characters who refuse to leave. This Halloween, let’s take a tour of local real estate...with a spooky twist!
Civic Theatre: This 1929 gem isn’t just home to plays - it’s said to be haunted by a protective janitor, a man in a dark suit who watches from the balcony, and a woman who quietly weeps backstage between acts.
Hower House: Victorian beauty with a side of heartbreak. Legend says Susan Hower still wanders the halls, upset that her husband broke his promise never to remarry.
Stan Hywet Hall: This Tudor mansion’s “Lady in Grey” is known to make unannounced visits, inspecting the master suite and silently judging your décor choices.
Perkins Stone Mansion: Guests swear they’ve seen a woman silently watching from the staircase. Perhaps, a permanent resident who never got the eviction notice.
If you are looking for a fright free move - give me a call. I promise I will never ghost you!
Contact Info:
Contact Samantha Russell
Realtor®, Howard Hanna
513-349-0704
3030 W. Market St.
Fairlawn, OH 44333
👀 Want 13,000+ Akronites to see your business every week?
Akron Digest puts your brand in front of homeowners, families, and locals.
Get in touch with us here.
🗞 The Digest
Akron Zoo Announces Free November Days 🦁
The Akron Zoo will offer free admission on several days in November:
Election Day (Nov. 4): Free for all guests from 11 AM - 4 PM
Veterans Appreciation Week (Nov. 7-11): Free for veterans and active military with valid ID; 50% off for immediate family members
Shop-a-Holidays (Nov. 15): Free admission with over 60 local vendors on site
Regular zoo hours are 11 AM - 4 PM during this off-season period, with standard admission normally $11-$21.
Future-Proof Your Assets (For Free) 💰
Got some assets but no plan? Join the club — nearly 70% of Americans lack a will or estate plan. But Summit and Medina County residents now have a no-cost fix!
United Way of Summit & Medina just launched free legacy planning through the Akron Financial Empowerment Center. Services include help with wills, adding beneficiaries, and creating powers of attorney.
The services are available to residents with low or moderate incomes. The goal: help families protect what they've built and pass it on
Summit and Medina County residents can request an appointment through the United Way website.
🔥 Top 5 Events This Week
Here is our list of hand-picked events around the area:
Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival ☕
Saturday, November 1 | 12:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Lock 3
The beloved Gilmore Girls-inspired festival returns with an exciting new location at the recently renovated Lock 3! Sample brews from nearly a dozen local coffee vendors while enjoying live music, including a special performance by headliner Grant-Lee Phillips at 6 PM.
Festivities include themed photo opportunities, ornament painting, a Luke-alike Contest, button making, and appearances by John Cabrera and Todd Lowe from the show's fictional band. Don't miss this caffeinated celebration of all things Stars Hollow!
Downtown Halloween Bar Crawl 🍹
Saturday, November 1 | 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM | Downtown Akron
Get ready for Akron's ultimate Halloween bash! This bar spooktacular features exclusive drink deals at downtown's best bars, a $1,000 costume contest, and professional photographers capturing all your ghoulish glory.
Your ticket includes no cover charges, 2-3 included drinks or shots, custom lanyards, and an epic after-party from 10 PM to midnight. Don't ghost this event – grab your boo crew and your most creative costume for a frighteningly good time!
Circa Thriller: A Halloween Dance Party 🕺
Friday, October 31 | 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM | Akron Art Museum
Something scary's lurking in the dark at the Akron Art Museum's Halloween bash! Dance the night away under the museum's enchanting ceiling while showing off your best costume – prizes will be awarded to standouts who bring their Halloween A-game.
Want to really feel the thrill? Catch the flash mob performance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" dance! Tickets start at $15 for members and $25 for non-members, with VIP options available.
Cinema at the Civic: Wicked 🧙♀️
Sunday, November 2 | 2:00 PM | Akron Civic Theatre
Step into the magical land of Oz at the historic Akron Civic Theatre for a special screening of "Wicked." Experience this beloved musical tale about the untold friendship between the witches of Oz beneath the theatre's famous twinkling star-lit ceiling.
This family-friendly event is perfect for fans of all ages who want to discover how two unlikely friends became the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. Gather your friends and enjoy this enchanting afternoon of magic and music in one of Akron's most beautiful venues.
Bottles and Books Pop-Up Adult Book Fair 📚
Sunday, November 2 | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | HiHO Brewing Company, Cuyahoga Falls
Calling all bookworms! This unique blend of literature and libations brings together book lovers in HiHO Brewing's riverside taproom. Browse a curated selection of over 50 titles (4-10 copies of each), available for purchase at just $10-$15 each.
For every $10 spent, you'll receive a ticket for the Book Swag Raffle with exclusive book-themed prizes! Accessorize your reading experience with bookmarks, bags, keychains, and more. Entry is free, and both cash and credit cards are accepted.
📌 Everything Else Worth Knowing
Some bonus picks from us:
🎶 Music & Live Performances
Carlos Jones & The PLUS Band
Friday, Oct 31 | 7:30 PM | The Knight Stage
Cleveland’s reggae mainstay brings peace-love-unity grooves for a high-vibe Halloween night.
More info →
A Tribute to the Doobie Brothers by China Grove
Saturday, Nov 1 | 7:30 PM | The Knight Stage
Nine players, big horns, and all the “Listen to the Music” feels.
More info →
The Four Horsemen (Metallica Tribute)
Saturday, Nov 1 | 7:30 PM | Goodyear Theater
“Album-quality” Metallica—note-for-note thunder for your Saturday night.
More info →
🗣 Talks & Trivia
Dominate the Storm: A Heart-Pumping Evening with Reed Timmer
Friday, Oct 31 | 7:30 PM | E.J. Thomas Hall
Storm-chaser storytelling on Halloween night? That tracks. Expect epic footage and “NEVER STOP CHASING” energy.
More info →
In Trivia Paratus, with John Cabrera and Remarkist!
Saturday, Nov 1 | 9:00 - 11:25 AM | The Nightlight
Gilmore Girls trivia hosted by someone who actually lived in Stars Hollow (on screen). Seats are limited.
More info →
🛍️ Markets & Fairs
North High School Craft & Vendor Show
Saturday, Nov 1 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | North High School
80+ vendors, music, and a $50 Devitis gift card drawing—make it a neighborhood shopping day.
More info →
📸 #SeenInAkron
🎬🎥 Akron Weekend Movie Action
Nightlight Theatre
Frankenstein
“Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist, brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.”Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Bugonia
“Two conspiracy obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.”Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Blue Moon
“On the evening of March 31, 1943, legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart confronts his shattered self-confidence in Sardi’s bar as his former collaborator Richard Rodgers celebrates the opening night of his ground-breaking hit musical “Oklahoma!”.”
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Highland Theatre
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
“Bruce Springsteen's journey crafting his 1982 album Nebraska, which emerged as he recorded Born in the USA with the E Street Band. Based on Warren Zanes' book.” (IMDB)Rotten Tomatoes: 64%
Weather
Today
51 🌡️ 37 | 🌧 | 60% 🌧️
Saturday
53 🌡️ 39 | ☀ | 25% 🌧️
Sunday
53 🌡️ 38 | ☀ | 5% 🌧️
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!