After two years, the Rib, White and Blue Festival will return to Akron for Fourth of July
After a two-year hiatus, the Rib, White and Blue Festival will return to Downtown Akron for Fourth of July weekend.
The festival, which runs from July 1 to July 4 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Downtown's Lock 3 park, will feature national rib vendors competing for best ribs, best sauce and people's choice award.
Food includes ribs, pulled pork, chicken, corn and a variety of fair food. Admission is free, but no outside food is permitted, except drinks purchased from Downtown bars included in the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area.
Free concerts on Lock 3's stage will begin each night at 7 p.m. The lineup includes:
July 1: E5C4P3 –The Journey Tribute with Monica Robins & The Whiskey Kings
July 2: Bruce in the USA, World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with Sinners and Saints
July 3: The Best of Queen, presented by Break Free! GEORGIA PLAYERS GUILD with XCESS featuring ANDREA
July 4: Creedence Relived, A Tribute to CCR with Brave and Crazy
On July 4, the city will set off a firework display at the end of the Akron RubberDucks game. Other firework displays will be launched from Patterson Park Sports Complex and the Akron Executive Airport at 9:45 p.m. Spectators can tune into 97.5 FM to get live updates on the launch and listen to a corresponding soundtrack.
Backyard firework displays of commercial or consumer grade fireworks are banned in Akron without a permit, and city council is currently considering legislation to reaffirm that ban.
Downtown parking is free beginning Friday at 6 p.m. Metro RTA is also providing fare-free weekends every Saturday and Sunday between June and August.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Rib, White and Blue Festival to return to Akron for Fourth of July
