Akron Electricians Local 306 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers(IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) have been powering Akron and the surrounding area and giving back to our community since 1926!
As Akron celebrates its 200th anniversary, we recognize it as a city that inspires. Throughout its storied history, Akron has reinvented itself in remarkable ways. From its early years as a canal town to the industrial boom that led to its distinction as the Rubber Capital of the World to its current landscape as a leader in technology through its regional Polymer Innovation Hub, Akron continues to evolve — fueled by the energy, passion, resilience and ingenuity of its people.
Akron 200 seeks to celebrate these characteristics, as we highlight the history that helped make us who we are and embrace the opportunities and challenges before us that will lead to a vibrant and more promising future. Our mission is to touch every corner of our city, engaging every neighborhood, community and sector in a yearlong intergenerational celebration not to be forgotten. From history hikes, our concert series, theatrical productions, sports tournaments and children’s events, to our bicentennial parade, homecoming celebration, Soap Box Derby race and closing ceremony, you’ll find something for everyone throughout the bicentennial year, with ample opportunities to get involved and be a part of the festivities.
So join us as we mark the passing of Akron’s 200th year. A city with two centuries of extraordinary history, Akron’s best chapters are still yet to be written. With so many of our stories to tell — what will yours be?
- Akron 200 Executive Director Mark Greer
{ by Kelly Petryszyn, 1925 parade photo provided by Summit Memory/ Akron-Summit County Public Library }
Enjoy signature week activities in July.
Downtown Parade, presented by Goodyear
July 5, 10 a.m. to noon
Akron Bicentennial Commission
Executive Secretary Dave Lieberth threw out a challenge for the parade celebrating Akron’s 200 years: “I wanted it to be the biggest parade that Akron has seen since the sesquicentennial in 1975 — that was really the last time we had a big parade in Akron,” he says.
He remembers that sesquicentennial parade. “Almost every major corporation or business was represented in the parade. I remember that Acme had a horse-drawn wagon. Billow’s had its horsedrawn hearse. Goodyear, BF Goodrich, Firestone, General Tire all had floats in the parade, along with First National Bank of Akron and the other banks,” he recalls. “It was a big parade that probably lasted for
an hour and a half to two hours, and there were thousands of people on Main Street who were there to watch it.” The 1925 centennial parade was massive as well, with thousands of marchers.
This year’s Akron Bicentennial Downtown Parade, presented by Goodyear, on July 5 will take a new route. It will start at the corner of East Market and North Main streets, go up East Market to High Street, down High to Buchtel Avenue, turn right on Buchtel, go to Canal Park and turn right on Main to return to the start. Onlookers can line up anywhere along the route for a great view of participants from local businesses, organizations, schools, performing arts groups and more.
The parade is the pinnacle of a year of events — and of the Akron Bicentennial Signature Celebration Week from July 1 to 5. To participate in the parade or volunteer, sign up at akron200.org.
“If you want to celebrate Akron’s 200th birthday, there’s one time and place to do it, and this is it. … This is the moment where they can really be involved in the bicentennial in a very direct way by being a participant or spectator in the parade,” Lieberth says. “It’s the height of our celebration.”
Downtown Akron, July 3-5, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Chow down on eats from local Akron food vendors. Enjoy classic Fourth of July fare and, on July 5, sample iconic Akron dishes of the past. “It’s important for us to have a wide variety of vendors that represent all of our communities here in Akron,” says Akron 200 Executive Director Mark Greer. See fireworks on July Fourth.
172 S. Main St., Akron Wed - Sat, 10:00am - 2:00pm akronhistorycenter.org
Bicentennial Homecoming: Feature the Future Exhibition, presented by Bridgestone Lock 3, July 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Take in exhibitors showcasing industries, technologies and innovations at the forefront of Akron’s future. Also enjoy the opening of Akron’s 2000 time capsule. Sectors represented include health care, arts, science, technology, higher education, media and more. Some exhibitors include the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub and the Akron Art Museum, which plans to highlight some of its new technology. “We want to bring to light the opportunities that are available right now in Akron and those on the horizon,” Greer says. “We want to galvanize all parts of our community as we focus on writing the next chapters that are propelling us into a future of growth, development, vibrancy and progress.”
The Forgotten History Forum Series sheds light on lesser-known local topics.
Most locals know about Akron’s history as the Rubber Capital of the World — but few know Akron’s rubber industry was trailblazing in its hiring of deaf workers. This revelation and other lesser-known subjects are what Akron 200’s Forgotten History Forum Series, presented by FirstEnergy Foundation, is all about.
“The Forgotten History Forum Series looks to explore a number of topics and seminal points in our city’s history that are not often discussed and some which still challenge us today,” says Akron 200 Executive Director Mark Greer of the series that’s broadcast by PBS Western Reserve. “We wanted to make sure we shine a light on a lot of these areas that many Akronites today haven’t heard about as much.”
From arts to urban development, the series’ wide-ranging topics are inclusive to represent all communities of Akronites — as well as key aspects of the Akron 200 celebration. So far this year, forums have discussed the new Akron History Center, women trailblazers and the lost cinemas of Akron.
“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with people remarking how many things in our history they weren’t aware of, including those who are students of history,” says Greer.
On May 20, The Summit FM will lead a discussion on the Akron Sound movement, which took place from the mid1970s to the mid ‘80s — when many punk, new wave and experimental bands were formed. On June 10, attendees will learn about the history of deaf rubber workers and their impact on the industry. Set to be released by the University of Akron Press in July, a new Akron History Anthology — which features 29 chapters by different
local authors — will be the focus of the July 15 forum. It will be moderated by Jon Miller, director of the University of Akron Press and editor of the book.
The August 12 event will revolve around Akron space flight and the history of the early Mercury spacesuits designed at BF Goodrich. Head to Ed Davis Community Center September 9 for the Sole of Akron forum, which will tie in the history of sports and athletic wear in Akron. It will be led by Akron Sneaker Academy Founder and Executive Director Dominique Waters. October will bring two forums. On
October 14, learn about Native American history. On October 28, at the University of Akron’s Dr. Shirla R. McClain Gallery, hear a moderated discussion about McClain’s groundbreaking dissertation on Akron’s Black history between Greer and local historian Gabriel Scott.
November 18 will offer a forum on the history of urban renewal in Akron, addressing how the city’s failed Innerbelt project, among other examples, displaced predominately Black communities in its path. The panel will feature speakers, including Terrence Shelton of the Akron
Rites of Passage Institute, whose family was displaced by the Innerbelt.
“We want to look at the real-life impact and the generational implications of those actions, the socioeconomic and cultural impact, and use that as measuring point for what will be proposed in the future,” Greer says.
The series will close December 2 with a forum on the history of Black churches in Akron, including how they have been a huge component of Black culture and have driven change — not only in the Black community, but in Akron as a whole. Catch up with past talks, as well as additional content, at akron200.org. Greer encourages Akronites to attend the forums to witness speakers providing insight on historical Akron topics not often discussed.
“It’s really an amazing opportunity to learn about the people, the movements, the events that really shaped Akron and made us who we are,” he says “There’s not one forum that’s going to happen where you won’t leave without learning at least one new thing, but more likely several, you didn’t know before.”
Forums will be held at Akron-Summit County Public Library’s main branch auditorium unless otherwise noted, 60 S. High St., Akron
Proudly serving Summit, Portage & Medina counties since 1937
The Tri-County Building & Construction Trades Council provides essential coordination and support to the work of its affiliated local unions in order that, through intern-trade solidarity, organized construction workers achieve a powerful voice in government, in bargaining, and in their communities.
Gum-Dip Theatre Co-artistic Director Katie Beck doesn’t want audiences to think of the theater’s original Akron bicentennial play as a history lesson.
“I want it to have these aha moments,” she says. “And one big theme in all of that that I’ve been thinking about is also trying to highlight these moments of collective action, when collectivism actually helped us progress.”
The play is commissioned as part of Akron’s bicentennial celebration and performed July 31 to August 2 at 8 p.m. and August 3 at 2 p.m. at Waters Park. It follows Gum-Dip’s ethos: The theater aims to tell stories relevant to the Akron community it’s called home since 2015.
“Gum-Dip Theatre creates plays and facilitates happenings in order to engage the community artistically and genuinely by uplifting their stories in creative ways,” says Beck. “We believe that theater is a tool for social change when the conditions are right.”
Written by Beck and Jeff St. Clair and
developed through partnerships with other artists, the play will be based on years of research, as well as community interviews. Beck’s research utilizes library materials and books, including essays from the forthcoming bicentennial book. Using parody and satire, the play will be comprised of a series of sketches that span from the Akron area’s Indigenous history to its present day. Beck plans to focus the work on little-known aspects of the area’s past.
“I think highlighting those lesser-known pieces helps people see themselves in it and then can also sort of drive this underlying message of we’re better together,” says Beck. “We all know Alcoholics Anonymous was founded here, but a lot of the reason that that organization exists is because of the women behind it.”
Alongside historical figures like Sojourner Truth, the piece will also include the history of the Innerbelt, the rubber industry and the toy manufacturing industry in Akron
— as well as aspects of queer history, immigration and refugee history and more.
“Being someone from Akron, I’ve already been conditioned to know a lot of the history, and I’ve already done my own research throughout other projects,” Beck says. “So it’s finding those surprising moments that are exciting to me.”
As in other Gum-Dip productions, the actors for the project will likely be community members. Beck hopes audiences will reflect on the play, and that it will spark discussions about the importance of togetherness.
“Theater is one of the only art forms where it is human to human — in order for it to happen, you have to have all the humans in a place physically. Yeah, you can livestream or record, but it’s not the same. And there’s even been research that shows that audience members’ heartbeats will start to align,” says Beck. “How can we come together in times of isolation and grief? Collectivism has always been more powerful.”
15,000-plus bulbs already planted throughout city parks and public spaces, now blooming and marked with Akron 200 signs. The initiative is also raising funds to install an impactful mural and perhaps more public art throughout Akron. Bicentennial Beautification Initiative
Volunteer to clean up one of Akron’s 24 neighborhoods and help with neighborhood plantings for this important initiative — presented by Akron 200 in partnership with Keep Akron Beautiful, Habitat for Humanity, Progress Through Preservation, Summit Metro Parks and more. Plus, enjoy
May 15 Dearest Enemy History Lecture
June 1 Downtown Akron Partnership Juneteenth Celebration
June 1 Kirat Cultural Festival
June 12 & Akron Artwalk September 11
June 21 Dearest Enemy Production, presented by AkronSummit County Public Library
July 18-20 African American Festival
August 16 PorchRokr Music & Art Festival
September 4-6 Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival
September 20 Akron Latin Festival
October 10 Outlined in Black Exhibition
October 18 Downtown Akron Fall Fest
November 1 Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival
Speed down an adrenaline-pumping track at night to celebrate Akron’s history of Soap Box Derby racing.
Though Soap Box Derby race cars are propelled by gravity instead of gas, Akron’s Derby Downs — with its 989.4-foot downhill track — still hosts heart-pounding races.
“When they come to Akron, it’s the thrill of the hill,” says International Soap Box Derby President and CEO Scott Taylor. “It’s the excitement. It’s competing for the world championship. It’s been around Akron for a long time.”
The Soap Box Derby officially started in 1934, its first race taking place in Dayton. It moved to Akron in 1935, and, as part of a Works Progress Administration project, Derby Downs was built in 1936. The venue offers a permanent, Akron-based home for the sport — in which participants ages 7
to 21 build gravity-powered cars from kits and use them to race down steep hills.
Each year, thousands of hopefuls compete in around 80 sanctioned International Soap Box Derby races — and more than 350 qualifiers head to Akron for the annual FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship each July. The event hosts participants from throughout the country and world.
“It’s competition. It’s sportsmanship. It’s family time,” says Taylor. Soap Box Derby racing is symbolic in Akron, making up a piece of the city’s identity and playing a large part in the childhoods of many locals. Participating in the sport allows kids to brush up on STEM principles such as engineering and mathematics.
“You’ve got to understand the complexity of the car, how to go faster,” Taylor says. “There’s a variety of things that you have to understand and work through, and that’s all part of the process of building your own car.”
Experience the 87th annual World Championship Race Week from July 13 to 19.
“When I walk the track, you can sense that there’s people around that are no longer with us that are a part of Derby,” Taylor says. “But when people arrive here on July 12, July 13 — that’s when this place comes alive.”
To honor Akron’s bicentennial, the Soap Box Derby will add a special night race September 19 — it will allow participants to race down the Derby Downs track under
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the stars and the illumination of multiple lights.
“We’ll start in the evening. And how I picture this is that companies … get a tent. Bring out a grill. Bring your own food, invite your clients, invite your staff. Make it a big party,” says Taylor. “We want to have a band at our pavilion area, which is at the starting line. And we want to have challenge races throughout the night.”
Multiple brackets will be introduced, including those for community members, sponsors and government officials. A ward bracket will be run like a raffle, where interested racers submit their names for a chance to zoom down the hill.
“It could probably average anywhere between 50 to 100 people within a twohour period down the track,” Taylor says. “The final four or the lead eight — that’s when the lights are turned on, it’s just
getting dark, and we have night racing.”
Those who are interested in participating should stay tuned to akron200.org for a chance to be a part of a historic night.
“It’s an iconic track,” Taylor says. “This could be one of the first times that they’ve gone down when it’s dark.”
May-October Akron History Hikes
May 24, July 5 Akron RubberDucks Bicentennial Bobblehead Nights & August 23
June 27
Marathon Race Series: National Interstate 8K & 1 mile
June 28 75th Annual Tiretown Scholarship Golf Tournament
June 28 Bicentennial Kickball Tournament
July 19 Bicentennial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
August 9
September 7
Marathon Race Series: Goodyear Half Marathon & 10K
Pickleball Tournament: Competitive Division
September 14 Bicentennial Pickleball Tournament: Recreational Division
September 26
Marathon Race Series: The Mandel Kids Fun Run
September 27 Akron Marathon Race Series: FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay
October 5 CAK 5K on the Runway
As the City of Akron marks its 200th year, Shumaker proudly celebrates our own century of service. Our refreshed brand reflects the same promise that’s guided us for 100 years: providing forward-thinking counsel, unwavering commitment, and the clarity you need to thrive. From rising enterprises to established institutions, we stand beside the people of Greater Akron—championing progress, honoring heritage, and always moving forward, together.
Shumaker is a team of 300+ attorneys across 13 offices working in tandem with Shumaker Advisors, a dedicated team connecting clients to legislators, regulators, and industry leaders. From complex legal matters to government relations and coalition building, we provide the steady support and forward-thinking guidance you need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
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121 S. Main Street Suite 575 Akron, OH 44308
{
by Cameron
Gorman,
photo provided by America 250-Ohio }
Look ahead to more historical commemorations.
As an official America 250-Ohio community, Summit County is getting involved in the commemoration of America’s 250th birthday — and celebrating its contributions to Ohio and the nation at large.
“We are excited to be partnering with the Summit County Historical Society to recognize our nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026,” says Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro via an email. “As an America 250-OH community, we are part of a coalition of counties, cities, villages and townships all working together to make sure Ohio has opportunities for everyone to celebrate and commemorate this milestone.”
As part of the celebration, enjoy special events and programs. At the Perkins Stone Mansion, John Brown House and Hale Farm & Village, for example, any fourth grade student accompanying a paid adult can enter for free through the end of 2026.
“We will be reaching out to different historical organizations throughout the county to encourage them to host programs that relate to the larger themes of America 250,” says President and CEO of the Summit County Historical Society of Akron, OH Leianne Neff Heppner.
From February to October 2026, the
Ohio Goes to the Movies initiative screens free, Ohiocentric movies. Currently, Akron’s Nightlight cinema, the Akron Civic Theatre, Regal Hudson and Regal Independence are participating. The Network to Freedom initiative highlights organizations in Ohio that are on the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom — in Summit County, that includes the John Brown House in Akron, the Oviatt House, the John Brown house in Richfield and Hale Farm & Village.
“Last year was our centennial, this year is Akron 200 and next year is America 250,” says Neff Heppner. “We think it’s a very important time to engage the public in knowing our local history and hoping that they’ll continue the legacy and recognize history every day.”
America 250 also features trails, including the Ohio Air and Space Trail, which crosses into Summit County and recognizes the Akron History Center and MAPS Air Museum. The Ohio Creativity Trail includes Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, the Akron Art Museum, the AkronSummit County Public Library’s Maple Valley branch, Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders, the Akron Zoo’s Conservation Carousel and more. Follow along with online maps and guides at america250-ohio.org. Next year will bring several events, including a tree planting at the Perkins Stone Mansion on Earth Day 2026. Each month of 2026 will have a different theme.
“Akron will be able to highlight how it relates to specific themes that will then
be announced throughout the state,” says Neff Heppner. “It allows that opportunity to highlight those firsts in Akron and Summit County or those individuals that made an impact to be shared with a greater population.”
These events and initiatives are meant to engage the public, helping them to learn more about Summit County’s role in America’s 250-year history.
“Throughout every corner of Summit County, our residents have contributed to this nation’s incredible history,” Shapiro says. “We look forward to highlighting this community’s innovative and collaborative spirit, and its role in shaping the United States.”
Lock 3, Dec. 6 , 6-8 p.m.
Wrap an incredible year of festivities with this celebration, featuring entertainers. It takes place on the 200th anniversary of the filing of the plat of Akron by General Simon Perkins and Paul Williams in 1825. Don’t miss the sealing of Akron’s 2025 time capsule to end a spectacular year.
A neighborhood meeting spot, a longtime local activist, the date of an annual celebration: all of these important elements — and more — could soon be the recipients of an Akron Bicentennial Historic Marker. Akron 200 is accepting applications for the placement of neighborhood historical markers. These markers will commemorate Akron people, places and events of historical significance. Anyone can propose a marker — and make history in doing so.
