AKRON—Would you like to introduce your children or grandchildren to African drumming and Bert and Ernie? How about polymer science, weaving, and a cappella? On August 3, 4, and 5, the best of our region’s entertainment for children and families will be offered at CityFaire, a community celebration of the arts, presented on Main Street in downtown Akron.

In addition to a gourmet food market with more than 20 area restaurants, an art market with distinctive American arts and crafts, and national and regional entertainment on two stages, CityFaire features the Kids’ Creation Plaza. Families will delight in a broad range of activities and performances, including: 

• hands-on art activities provided by the Akron Art Museum, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Boys and Girls Clubs, United Disability Services, and YMCA
• a fantastic puppet theatre created with University of Akron art professor Mark Soppeland
• a meet and greet with Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie and Jay Jay the Jet Plane at the PBS 45 & 49 tent
• Sherlock Bones puppet shows from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• juggling, African drumming, performing animals, dance, science demonstrations, and more.

To cap off the rich weekend-long offering of family activities and performances, CityFaire will celebrate the first National Kids Day on Sunday, August 5. At 2 PM on Sunday, The Persuasions will perform music from their award-winning hit children’s album "On The Good Ship Lollipop." The Persuasions, long known for their innovative a cappella music for adults, will present engaging doo-wop hits for children, families and the young at heart. "On The Good Ship Lollipop" was named the Amazon.com #1 Children's Album of 1999 and was awarded the 2000 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award and the 1999 Parents' Choice Gold Award.

CityFaire’s hours are 5 PM-9 PM on Friday, August 3; 12 PM-9 PM on Saturday, August 4; and 12 PM-8 PM on Sunday August 5. Admission to CityFaire is $6 per day and $12 for a weekend pass. Children 5 and under are free. In honor of National Kids Day, children 12 and under will be admitted free with an accompanying adult on Sunday, August 5.

CityFaire is a program of United Disability Services; its founding partners are the Akron Community Foundation, the City of Akron, Downtown Akron Partnership, and United Way of Summit County.