Almost time for culinary delights at Taste of Akron, art at Hardesty Park Akron Art Expo

It's that time for food and art again at Akron's Hardesty Park.

The city will celebrate its 44th year with the Akron Art Expo at Hardesty Park, running 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 22 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 23.

Before the weekend of fine arts and crafts begin, visitors can nosh on fare from their favorite restaurants and food trucks at the 16th annual Taste of Akron, running 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday at Hardesty Park, 1615 W. Market St.

More than 30 food trucks and restaurants will participate in Taste of Akron, including 12 restaurants and 20 food trucks or trailers.

Who are the Taste of Akron food vendors?

The restaurants are:

• The Pierogi Lady

• MsCotti's Biscotti & Scones

• West Side Coney Island

• The Breakfast Box

• Saffron Patch

• Papa Johns

• Urban Gourmet

• Fat T's Cookies

• Nothing Bundt Cakes

• Norka

• Essential Dipped Delights

• 4 Bros and a Sis Lemonade

Food trucks or trailers are:

• Dr. Hibachi

• Southern Thangs

• Twisted Grill & Grind

• D & M Grille

• Bereka Coffee & Kitchen

• Thai It Up

• Smash Time

• Uncle Bacon's BBQ

• Henry's Creamery

• Da Bayou Cajun & Creole

• D-Bo's Grill

• Munchies

• The Eccentric Panda

• The Cookery

• City Diner

• Eddies Famous Cheesesteaks

• Cookie's BBQ

• Birdies

• Johnny Lote's Latin Street Corn

• Stray Dog Cafe

No tickets or reservations are required for the event.

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More than 100 artists at expo

The juried Akron Art Expo will feature more than 100 artists in the categories of ceramics, digital and traditional photography, fiber/textiles, glass, jewelry, metal mixed media, painting and drawing, sculpture and wood. Guests can meet the artists and shop in person at the expo.

Artists and their contact information for direct purchases will be listed on the expo website at akronartexpo.com.

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One Fine Day, Akron Symphonic Winds, The Cover Band and Funkology will perform July 23 and 24 during the art expo.

Food vendors during the weekend expo will be:

• Marty & Lynn's Concessions

• Bereka Coffee & Kitchen

• The Breakfast Box

• Johnny Lote's Latin Street Corn

• Mscotti's Biscotti & Scones

• Da Bayou Cajun & Creole

• Kernels by Chrissie

• The Eccentric Panda

• Norka

The family-friendly event draws more than 20,000 patrons to Akron. A Creative Zone tent with children's craft will be offered throughout the weekend, with interactive arts activities by the Akron Art Museum, Summit Artspace and the Akron Summit County Public Library.

Updates on the expo and Taste of Akron also can be found on Facebook at City of Akron Recreation & Parks.

Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Taste of Akron 2023, Akron Art Expo 2023: What to know before you go