Staff Report

AKRON — Akron’s 4th of July festivities kick off Friday, June 25.

That’s when the voting for the Akron Las Donas’ Penny-A-Vote Cute Baby Contest starts at the Akron Lake City Bank branch. It will run until Saturday, July 3.

The Miss Akron 4th of July queen contest and Miss Sparkler and Mr. Firecracker competitions are on Sunday, June 27, at the Akron Community Center. They start at 6:30 p.m.

Returning this year after a hiatus is Young Entrepreneur Day put on by the Akron Lake City Bank branch. Those who stop by the branch from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, July 3, may purchase products from kids 5-11. They received loans of $10 from the bank to run their businesses.

The main events are on Sunday, July 4. Festival organizers opted to have a community church service at Pike Memorial Park as the holiday is on a Sunday. It’s provided by Akron Church of God, Akron United Methodist Church and Casa de Renovacion and starts at 10:30 a.m.

The parade starts at 2 p.m. For this year, there won’t be one grand marshal of the parade.

“After much consideration and conversations, the (Akron 4th of July Committee) decided that the whole town – its residents and businesses – should and will be recognized and honored in this parade as the grand marshals as they have persevered through the last 16 months of the pandemic. Our community is so grateful to be able to gather again with the theme throughout the whole day, ‘Together, We Rise,'” the Akron 4th of July Committee explained in a statement.

The festivities end with the fireworks sponsored by the Henry Township Fire Department at 10 p.m. at Pike Memorial Park.

The full schedule is below:

June 25-July 3

Voting for the Penny-A-Vote Cute Baby Contest sponsored by the Akron Las Donas – Akron Lake City Bank branch

June 27

6-8 p.m. – Akron Parent Support Group Ice Cream Social – Akron Community Center

6:30 p.m. – Miss Akron 4th of July queen contest, Miss Sparkler and Mr. Firecracker competitions – Akron Community Center

July 1

9 a.m.-6 p.m. – Book sale – Akron Carnegie Public Library

July 2

9 a.m.-6 p.m. – Book sale – Akron Carnegie Public Library

July 3

7-8 a.m. – Firecracker 5K registration – Akron Elementary School

8 a.m. – Firecracker 5K Walk sponsored by the Akron Las Donas – Akron Elementary School

8:15 a.m. – Firecracker 1-Mile Fun Run sponsored by the Akron Las Donas – Akron Elementary School

8:30 a.m. – Firecracker 5K Run sponsored by the Akron Las Donas – Akron Elementary School

9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Book sale – Akron Carnegie Public Library

9-11 a.m. – Young Entrepreneur Day – Akron Lake City Bank branch

July 4

8 a.m.-noon – Fireman Breakfast sponsored by Henry Township Fire Department – Henry Township Fire Station

9 a.m. – Flag raising by Fulton County Veterans Honor Guard, followed by announcement of Penny-A-Vote Cute Baby Contest winner – Henry Township Fire Station

10:30 a.m. – “Together, We Rise” Community Church Service provided by the Akron Church of God, Akron United Methodist Church and Casa de Renovacion – Pike Memorial Park

Noon – “Together, We Rise” parade lineup

Noon – 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament – Pike Memorial Park

Noon-10 p.m. – Food and retail vendors – Pike Memorial Park

2 p.m. – “Together, We Rise” parade – downtown (Handicapped parking is available at Akron United Methodist Church.)

7-10 p.m. – Copper Bridges band – Pike Memorial Park

10 p.m. – Fireworks sponsored by Henry Township Fire Department – Pike Memorial Park