Akron Festival

Akron 4th of July festivities have begun

This year’s Akron Fourth of July Festival aims to transport people back to the 1970s.

“Take Me Back to the ’70s” is the theme. One of the organizers of the event, Akron Clerk-Treasurer Rebecca Hartzler, said it was chosen related to this year’s parade grand marshals, Shirley Bickel and Ruby Bowers, who both opened beauty shops 50 years ago in 1973.

Activities started on June 22, with voting for the Akron Las Donas Club’s Penny-a-Vote Cute Baby Contest. That runs through Saturday, July 1, at Lake City Bank in Akron.

On July 1, Young Entrepreneur Day returns to Lake City Bank from 9-11 a.m. Kids are given $10 to start a business, with them selling items during that time period.

The winners of the Cute Baby Contest will be announced at 5:15 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at the Akron Community Center. Following at 5:30 p.m. are the Miss Sparkler and Mr. Firecracker contests and the Miss Akron Fourth of July pageant.

Tuesday, July 4, includes multiple events. The Henry Township Fire Department has its firemen’s pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at the fire station, with the Firecracker 5K walk starting at 8 a.m., the 1-mile fun run at 8:15 a.m., and the 5K run at 8:30 a.m., all at Akron Elementary School.

The parade starts at 11 a.m., running down Rochester Street and Mishawaka Street.

New to afternoon activities this year is laser tag, with that available from noon to 10 p.m. at Pike Memorial Park. Tuesday will cap off with fireworks at 10 p.m. at the park, sponsored by the fire department.

“After much consideration and conversations, the (Akron 4th of July Committee) decided that the whole town — its residents and businesses — should and will be recognized and honored in this parade as the grand marshals as they have persevered through the last 16 months of the pandemic.

Our community is so grateful to be able to gather again with the theme throughout the whole day, ‘Together, We Rise,’” the Akron 4th of July Committee explained in a statement.

The festivities end with the fireworks sponsored by the Henry Township Fire Department at 10 p.m. at Pike Memorial Park.

The full schedule is below:

June 25-July 3

Voting for the Penny-A-Vote Cute Baby Contest sponsored by the Akron Las Donas – Akron Lake City Bank branch.

June 27

6-8 p.m. — Akron Parent Support Group Ice Cream Social – Akron Community Center.

6:30 p.m. — Miss Akron 4th of July queen contest, Miss Sparkler and Mr. Firecracker competitions

– Akron Community Center.

July 1

9 a.m.-6 p.m. — Book sale – Akron Carnegie Public Library.

July 2

9 a.m.-6 p.m. — Book sale – Akron Carnegie Public Library.

July 3

7-8 a.m. — Firecracker 5K regis- tration – Akron Elementary School.

8 a.m. — Firecracker 5K Walk sponsored by the Akron Las Donas – Akron Elementary School.

8:15 a.m. — Firecracker 1-Mile Fun Run sponsored by the Akron Las Donas – Akron Elementary School.

8:30 a.m. — Firecracker 5K Run sponsored by the Akron Las Donas – Akron Elementary School.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. — Book sale – Akron Carnegie Public Library.

9-11 a.m. — Young Entrepreneur Day – Akron Lake City Bank branch.

July 4

8 a.m.-noon — Fireman Breakfast sponsored by Henry Township Fire Department – Henry Township Fire Station.

9 a.m. — Flag raising by Fulton County Veterans Honor Guard, followed by announcement of PennyA-Vote Cute Baby Contest winner — Henry Township Fire Station.

10:30 a.m. —