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🗞️ Smooth Moves: Jazz Fest Takes Over Downtown
Akron Digest
September 5, 2025
Good Morning, Akron!
If you’ve been working overtime to keep your yard from looking like a dry bowl of Shredded Wheat, you’re not alone.
Akron set a new record last month — the driest month ever recorded in the city’s history. August clocked in at just 0.19” rain, as recorded at Akron-Canton Airport. The average rainfall in August is 3.6”.
The upside? More pleasant weather is here. I’ll always argue that September and October in Ohio are some of the best anywhere. It’ll make you forget about the days when your lawn looked like breakfast cereal.
Let’s dive into this week’s issue.
🗞️ The Digest
Name Change Coming for Canal Park ⚾️
Pour one out for Canal Park, folks. After 28 years of the current name, Akron's beloved ballpark is getting a corporate makeover. Starting in 2026, we'll be cheering on the RubberDucks at "7 17 Credit Union Park."
Before you grab your pitchforks and storm downtown, there's a silver lining to this naming rights deal that might just make you put down the torches.
The Good News: Those gloriously cheap $5 tickets and $2.50 hot dogs? They're staying put. RubberDucks President Jim Pfander basically said this sponsorship cash injection is what's keeping baseball affordable in Akron. In an era where a beer at most stadiums costs more than your monthly streaming subscriptions combined, that's not nothing.
The Numbers Game: 7 17 Credit Union is Northeast Ohio's largest credit union with 120,000+ members. They've locked down naming rights through 2031, though nobody's saying how much they ponied up for the privilege.
What This Really Means: Look, we get it. "Canal Park" had that authentic, old-timey Akron charm. It literally sat next to the Ohio & Erie Canal, making it one of those rare stadium names that actually made geographical sense. But let's be real – if selling naming rights keeps our minor league team financially healthy and hot dogs under three bucks, maybe we can learn to love those oddly spaced numbers.
The deal still needs approval from MLB and City Council, but with Mayor Shammas Malik already on board (he's talking about "new jobs and investment"), it feels more like a formality than a real vote.
🔥 Top 5 Events This Week
Here is our list of hand-picked events around the area:
Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival 🎺
Thursday - Saturday, September 4-6 | Downtown Akron
Get ready for a weekend of soul-stirring sounds as the beloved jazz fest hits its 10th anniversary milestone. This year's celebration is pulling out all the stops with performances across downtown venues, from Lock 3 to the Akron Library to BLU Jazz. Best part? Most events are completely free.
The lineup features national headliners alongside our homegrown talent, spanning everything from traditional jazz to funk and soul. Check the schedule ahead of time (below) to plan your day.
Tom Segura: Come Together 😂
Saturday, September 6 | 6:00 PM | Akron Civic Theatre
Comedy's hottest ticket rolls into town as Tom Segura brings his "Come Together" tour to the Civic. After selling out 300+ shows on his last tour, this Netflix special superstar is ready to make Akron laugh with his signature storytelling style. Whether you know him from his hit podcasts "Your Mom's House" and "2 Bears 1 Cave" or his five Netflix specials, this is comedy gold you don't want to miss.
Fair warning: Tom's humor can get delightfully dark, so leave the kids at home for this one. Two shows mean double the chances to catch this comedy phenomenon in our historic theater.
Sportscard and Pokemon Expo 🏈
Saturday, September 6 | 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM | Emidio & Sons Expo Center, Cuyahoga Falls
Calling all collectors! Northeast Ohio's largest sports card and Pokémon show is back, bringing together enthusiasts from across the region. Whether you're hunting for that elusive rookie card, looking to complete your Pokémon collection, or just want to geek out with fellow collectors, this is your spot.
Local David Cogdeill has built this into the premier collecting event in our area. Bring your trades, your wish list, and maybe some extra cash - you never know what treasures you'll find among the vendors.
Copley Food Truck Festival 🍔
Saturday, September 6 | 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Copley Community Park
The Copley Fire & Rescue Association is cooking up their 3rd annual food truck extravaganza, and the whole community's invited! This isn't just about amazing eats (though there will be plenty) - it's a full-day festival with live music, activities for the kids, and that perfect end-of-summer vibe.
From gourmet tacos to funnel cakes, craft beverages to comfort food classics, the lineup of trucks will have something for every taste. Proceeds benefit the Copley Fire and Rescue Association.
Aeronautics & Engineering Expo ✈️
Saturday, September 6 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Kent State Airport
Aviation buffs and curious kids alike, this one's for you! Kent State's legendary expo returns after a two-decade run, featuring everything from WWII bombers to the Goodyear Blimp. Take rides in historic aircraft (including a 1928 Ford Tri-Motor!), watch drone demonstrations, and get hands-on with robotics and 3D printing.
The highlight? Beach City Baby, a Douglas C-53 that saw action in WWII, will be on display alongside dozens of other aircraft. At just $5 per person (max $20 per family), this is the best deal in town for a day of family fun.
📌 Everything Else Worth Knowing
Some bonus picks from us:
🎶 Live Music
Swamps of Jersey: A Springsteen Tribute
Friday, September 5 | 7:30 PM | Akron Civic Theatre
The Boss's energy comes alive in this passionate tribute show capturing decades of legendary performances.
More info →
David Cook
Saturday, September 6 | 7:30 PM | Akron Civic Theatre
The American Idol Season 7 winner brings his powerful vocals and hit songs to our historic stage.
More info →
A Day to Remember & Yellowcard
Friday, September 5 | 6:15pm | Blossom Music Center
Rock nostalgia hits hard as these 2000s legends kick off their Maximum Fun Tour right here in NEO.
More info →
TOAST - The Ultimate Bread Experience
Saturday, September 6 | 7:30 PM | Goodyear Theater
The ultimate BREAD cover band serves up all the '70s soft rock hits you forgot you loved - "Make It With You," anyone?
More info →
🏃 Sports & Recreation
Yoga on the Vine
Sunday, September 7 | 10:30 AM | Sarah’s Vineyard, Cuyahoga Falls
Stretch, sip, and savor with an all-levels yoga flow overlooking the vineyard, followed by wine tasting.
More info →
🎉 Comedy & Oddball
Mark Normand
Friday, September 5 | 7:00 PM | Goodyear Theater
One of comedy's fastest-rising stars brings his sharp wit and observational humor to Akron.
More info →
Oddmall: Uncensored - The Horror Show
Saturday - Sunday, September 6-7 | Summit County Fairgrounds
The wonderfully weird marketplace takes on the Fairgrounds. Vendors, Entertainment, Food Trucks. Probably not for the little ones.
More info →
🎬️🎥 Akron Weekend Movie Action
Nightlight Theatre
The Roses
“Life seems easy for picture-perfect couple Ivy and Theo: successful careers, a loving marriage, great kids. But beneath the façade of their supposed ideal life, a storm is brewing – as Theo's career nosedives while Ivy's own ambitions take off, a tinderbox of fierce competition and hidden resentment ignites.”Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
Caught Stealing
“Burned-out ex-baseball player Hank Thompson unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a dangerous struggle for survival amidst the criminal underbelly of 1990s New York City, forced to navigate a treacherous underworld he never imagined.”Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Lurker
“When a twenty-something retail clerk meets a rising pop star, he takes the opportunity to edge his way into the in-crowd. But as the line between friend and fan blurs beyond recognition, access and proximity become a matter of life and death.”Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Highland Theatre
JAWS - 50th Anniversary Edition
“When a massive killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Long Island, it's up to the local police chief, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.” (IMDB)Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Weather
Today
84 🌡️ 65 | ⛅️ | 49% 🌧️
Saturday
85 🌡️ 64 | 🌦️ | 55% 🌧️
Sunday
68 🌡️ 54 | 🌦️ | 70% 🌧️
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Talk to you next Friday!