Staff Report

AKRON — There’s plenty planned for Akron’s Fourth of July Festival.

The annual celebration of Akron’s and America’s birthday this year has the theme of “Mayberry USA.”

According to information from organizers, the theme is meant to allow people to “stroll down memory lane honoring and reminiscing about the good old days as portrayed in the iconic town in ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ and as we experienced in Akron.”

Activities begin on Friday, June 24, with voting for the Penny-a-Vote Cute Baby Contest sponsored by the Akron Las Donas Club. That’s at Lake City Bank in town and will run through Friday, July 1.

Other events include the Miss Sparkler and Mr. Firecracker contests, which will start at 6:30 p.m. on July 1, with the Miss Akron pageant immediately following, both at the Akron Community Center.

On Saturday, July 2, Young Entrepreneur Day will once again be held at Lake City Bank from 9-11 a.m. Kids learn about entrepreneurship as they sell items.

The parade is one of the events set for Monday, July 4. It starts at 11 a.m. and runs down Mishawaka and Rochester streets.

July 4 will cap off in town with fireworks at Pike Memorial Park, set for 10 p.m. and sponsored by the Henry Township Fire Department.

Below is the full schedule of events:

Friday, June 24-Friday, July 1

• Voting at Lake City Bank for the Penny-a-Vote Cute Baby Contest sponsored by the Akron Las Donas Club

 

Monday, June 27-Friday, July 1

• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. — Book sale at the Akron Carnegie Public Library

 

Friday, July 1-Sunday, July 3

• The Akron Youth League’s 12U Baseball and Softball Tournament

 

Friday, July 1

• 6-8 p.m. — Akron Parent Support Group Igloo Ice Cream Social at the Akron Community Center
• 6:15 p.m. — Penny-a-Vote Cute Baby Contest Winner announced at the Akron Community Center
• 6:30 p.m. — Miss Sparkler, Mr. Firecracker, Miss Akron contests at the Akron Community Center

 

Saturday, July 2

• 9 a.m. to 11a.m. — Young Entrepreneur Day at Lake City Bank
• 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Book sale at the Akron Carnegie Public Library

 

Sunday, July 3

• Noon to 8 p.m. — Food and retail vendors, inflatables for kids at Pike Memorial Park
• 1 p.m. — Registration for the Pedal Pull at Pike Memorial Park
• 1-5 p.m. — Jim Bucher Memorial Car Show at Pike Memorial Park
• 2-4 p.m. — Petting zoo and pig races at Pike Memorial Park
• 4-5 p.m. — Kids’ games at Pike Memorial Park
• 6-7:30 p.m. — Comedian entertainment, Gerry Grossman: the Human Jukebox at Pike Memorial Park

 

Monday, July 4

• 7-7:45 a.m. — Registration for Firecracker 5K Run/Walk and Sparkler 1-Mile Fun Run sponsored by Akron Las Donas Club at Akron Elementary School
• 8 a.m. — 5K Walk Starts at Akron Elementary School
• 8:15 a.m. — 1-Mile Fun Run Starts at Akron Elementary School
• 8:30 a.m. — 5K run starts at Akron Elementary School
• 7-10 a.m. — Fireman Breakfast sponsored by the Henry Township Fire Department at the fire station
• 9 a.m. — Flag raising by the American Legion Honor Guard at the fire station
• 9 a.m. — Games begin in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Pike Memorial Park
• 9 a.m. — Parade lineup starts at Sonoco off SR 19
• 10 a.m. — Coed volleyball tournament at Pike Memorial Park
• 11 a.m. — Parade along Rochester and Mishawaka streets
• Noon to 10 p.m. — Food and retail vendors and inflatables at Pike Memorial Park
• 7-10 p.m. — Band Ain’t Ryte at Pike Memorial Park
• 10 p.m. — Fireworks sponsored by the Henry Township Fire Department at Pike Memorial Park