Summit County Italian-American Festival opens July 11: See entertainment lineup

AKRON, Ohio – The Summit County Italian-American Festival returns to downtown Akron beginning Thursday with a full lineup of food, baked goods, entertainment, fireworks and even a gondola photo opportunity, according to the event website.

Admission is free for the festival, which takes place on Bowery Street and Cascade Plaza due to Lock 3 renovations. The fest is open from 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. daily through Saturday, July 13.

Vendors will offer food and drinks for purchase. Options include traditional Italian fare, Italian baked goods, food trucks offering a variety of cuisine and beer trucks. Attendees can also try their luck at ax throwing or peruse the many vendors that will have booths and displays at the event.

There will be two stages of entertainment during the festival. The lineup includes:

Thursday, July 11

• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Avanti (Main Street stage)
• 5 – 7 p.m.: Danny Merendino – accordion (roaming)
• 6:30 – 8 p.m.: Harvest – Neil Young Tribute (Main Street stage)
• 8:30 – 10 p.m.: Disco Inferno (Main Street stage)

Friday, July 12

• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Avanti (Main Street stage)
• 5 – 7 p.m.: Danny Merendino – accordion (roaming)
• 8:30 p.m.: ABBAmania ABBA Tribute (Lock 3 stage)
• 7-10 p.m.: Ray Mass EuroRhythms (Main Street stage)

Saturday, July 13

• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Avanti (Main Street stage)
• 5 – 7 p.m.: Danny Merendino – accordion (roaming)
• 7-10 p.m.: G-4 Italian Band (Main Street stage)
• 8:30 – 10 p.m.: Jersey Beats – Frankie Valli Tribute (Lock 3 stage)

The festival will conclude with a fireworks display on Saturday at 10 p.m.

The Council of Italian-American Societies of Summit County and the city of Akron organized the festival.

Parking is available in city decks. All city decks are $2 after 6 p.m. on Thursdays and free after 6 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. The State Street parking deck is $2 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and free after 6 p.m. on Fridays.

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