Akron Pizza Fest set for Labor Day weekend return downtown. What to know before you go

Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal
Updated ·2 min read

The sights and the smells will be familiar in downtown Akron over Labor Day weekend.

The Akron Pizza Fest is returning for its third run.

Where is Akron's Pizza Fest?

The location will be new as construction to remake Lock 3 continues and festivals and events downtown are being shifted to the temporary festival site on Bowery Street between South Main and West Center streets behind the Akron Civic Theatre in downtown Akron.

There are eight pizzerias participating in the festival that runs Friday, Sept. 1, through Sunday, Sept. 3, during Labor Day weekend.

When is Akron's Pizza Fest?

The festival opens at 11 a.m. daily and closes at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7 p.m. on Sunday.

How much are Akron Pizza Fest tickets?

Admission is $5 but there are some specials like free entry for lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and buy one-get one admission noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission for teens and college students is $3 and free for kids ages 12 and younger.

Other events coming to Akron 2023: When is it? Here's Greater Akron's festival, fairs and special event schedule for 2023

Which pizzerias will be at Akron's Pizza Fest?

The eight participating restaurants, parlors and small pizza places will be selling slices and competing for top honors over the weekend event. There will be a competition for the best overall, best specialty and the people’s choice.

  • Gino's Pizza

  • Jet's Pizza

  • Gionino's Pizza

  • Twisted Tomato

  • Upper Crust

  • PizzaBOGO

  • Corbo's Pizza

  • Pizza Bella

In addition to the eight pizza makers, the festival will feature other food options.

Bands playing at Akron Pizza Fest

Friday will feature the Rock the Lock music, cornhole and kids activities. The scheduled bands include Umojah Nation, WHO’S BAD – the Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience and fireworks at dusk in partnership with the Akron RubberDucks.

The festivities on Saturday include pizza eating contests along with cornhole and kids activities. The scheduled bands include Cold Blue Steele and Back n Forth: a Tribute to the Foo Fighters along with RubberDucks fireworks.

The pizza judging will be Sunday with the Michael Weber Band performing.

Craig Webb, who likes mushrooms and pepperoni on his pizza, can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Pizza Fest returns to downtown during Labor Day weekend