"An incredible array of well-known and diverse performers will make downtown Akron really come alive this summer," Plusquellic said. "This is another example of how organizations working together make Akron a really wonderful and unique place to live."

Under a three-way management agreement, the city built the park and will maintain it; the Akron Civic Theatre in partnership with The University of Akron will manage all entertainment events; the George Group, owner of Harry Buffalo Restaurant in the O'Neil's building, will manage all concessions at Lock 3 Park.

Plusquellic also announced that FirstEnergy Corp. of Akron is providing underwriting support for the stage, which will be known as Lock 3 Live! FirstEnergy Stage.

"We're excited to have a third venue that will really allow us to do year-round programming downtown," said Dan Dahl, executive director of the Civic and The University of Akron's E. J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. "There will truly be something for everybody in downtown Akron this summer."

The City of Akron constructed the three-acre Lock 3 Park over the last 18 months with a $1 million grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and a grant from Summit County government which supported the re-location of steam lines around the park area.

Lock 3 Park replaces a series of Main Street commercial buildings that the city demolished within the past year. The City of Akron's engineering bureau designed and supervised construction of the park. "It is really satisfying," said Assistant Construction Division Manager Mark Moore, "to see people using the Canal Walk every day, and coming out of office buildings to enjoy the new scenery."

The park's unique surfaces -- tinted, textured concrete, surrounded by grass, enclosed by an iron fence and gates -- are illuminated by ornamental lighting and accentuated by a red rubberized walking surface of the new "Canal Walk" that extends from the Civic on South Main to the Advanced Elastomer Systems building.

A 60' x 40' stage with a saddleback roof will be erected on the 100' x 60' concrete pad. Engineers also have equipped the stage area with enhanced electrical power to support sound and lighting effects.

There are permanent bathrooms and a full indoor concession stand (under construction) adjacent to Lock 3 Park in the area called O'Neil Commons - the lower level of the parking deck at 51 W. State Street. The city will erect additional temporary structures at Lock 3 for the sale of concessions and lavatories.

Plusquellic previously announced that the Main Street area of Lock 3 Park will be the subject of future retail development. The Ferchill Group of Cleveland has been given development rights to the site, and is creating a proposal for use of the site in the future.

Additional sponsors for Lock 3 Live! include Tramonte Distributing Co., (Miller Lite, Rolling Rock and Mike's Hard Lemonade). Media Sponsors include the Akron Beacon Journal, Pax 23 & WKYC TV3, Rubber City Radio - WAKR/WONE/WQMX, and ClearChannel Outdoor.

Summer events at Lock 3 Live! include special programs on Saturdays, Thursday noon, Friday and Saturday nights, and three weekend festival events

WKSU's HOMEGROWN SATURDAY MORNIN'

An expanded Farmers Market comes to Lock 3 Live! every Saturday morning, May 31 through August 30, 9am to noon (except July 5). There will be fresh produce and plenty of home-grown and home-made items to purchase. Participating vendors include Mustard Seed Market & Café, Great Harvest Bread Company, Wildflower Florist, Susan's Coffee & Tea, Sarah Janes Bread Company, Woo City Ice Cream, Osman's Pies, Katonas Country Garden, True Amish Friends, the Artists of Rubber City, Magical Theatre Company and more.

SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

TGIF opens the Lock 3 Live! season on Friday, May 30 with folk/rocker Anne E. DeChant. Featured entertainers every Friday night through August 29, include the Lovin' Spoonful (June 13), Buckwheat Zydeco (July 11), Tim Easton and a Local Music Festival (July 25), Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (August 1), and -- for Country music fans -- a "Honky Tonk Tail Gate Party" on August 15.

SATURDAY NIGHTS feature something for everybody at Lock 3, including A Gospel Festival with Dottie Peoples (June 21), the US Army Field Band and Chorus (June 28), a Harry Chapin Tribute (July 19), the Sounds of Sousa (August 16); and on Saturday, August 23, Lock 3 Live! will host the "Third Annual Rubber City Blues Festival" with area Blues artists.

WAPS 93.1 THE SUMMIT THURSDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERTS will begin June 5 and continue every week through August 28. A dozen local musical groups are scheduled to perform, and a variety of lunch items will be available or downtown workers may "brown bag" it if they like.

SPECIAL EVENTS

THE CUYAHOGA VALLEY HERITAGE FESTIVAL, (MAY 31 & JUNE 1) will feature the casting of Summit County's very own Bicentennial Bell -- from the melting of the bronze ingots to the bell's ceremonial first ring; and will include Ohioans in performance -- musically and artistically. The festival is hosted by The City of Akron, The County of Summit and The Akron Civic Theatre, and co-sponsored with Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association in cooperation with the National Park Service and the Ohio Bicentennial Commission.

AKRON'S 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL, (JULY 3-4-5), a family-friendly event for the benefit of Muscular Dystrophy, will feature up to 20 food vendors -- including the stars of previous Akron Ribfests -- plus kiddie attractions and a solid lineup of area stars who will perform continuously from the lunch hour through 11pm each day. Akron's annual gigantic fireworks event will cap activities on the 4th on the innerbelt.

CANAL WALK WEEKEND, (AUGUST 29-31), celebrates Downtown's historic waterway with arts and crafts exhibits, food, music, and fun, including special performances by Ohio Ballet and Richie Havens.

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Lock 3 Live! (more)