| (10/31/06) - Downtown Akron is the premier
destination for holiday happenings in Northeast Ohio as the City of Akron kicks off its
third annual Holidayfest, a family-friendly celebration of the season. With more events,
entertainment, shopping, food, and even a new Holidayfest trolley on tap in 2006,
Holidayfest is expected to bring over 400,000 people downtown this season. The official
opening of Holidayfest will be celebrated with a Holiday Lighting Spectacular Show
featuring Santa, local entertainers and fireworks on November 24 at 7:00 p.m.  At Lock 3 Park, the popular Chriskindl Market
returns, featuring twelve charming cottages housing vendors from Akron’s sister-city
of Chemnitz, Germany. For the third year, Akron highlights its sister-city relationship
with this unique market–the largest Saxon Christmas Market in the United States.
Nearly 40 vendors visit Akron throughout Holidayfest, selling one-of-a-kind items such as
hand-blown glass ornaments, wooden toys, candles and holiday decorations, all direct from
Germany. While the Chriskindl Market officially opens at the conclusion of the Holiday
Lighting Spectacular on November 24, eager shoppers have the opportunity to get a special
first look at the one-of-a-kind items from 12-5 pm that day for a new
Day-After-Thanksgiving Shopping Showcase.
German vendors also staff the Hutzenstub, a large, heated area adjacent to the
Chriskindl Market that provides visitors with an ideal spot to relax, enjoy authentic
German fare, meet and talk with the vendors, and warm up before heading back outside. A
large selection of food is available this year, with everything from bratwurst and
sauerkraut, Erzgebirge Stollen (oval shaped cake seasoned with raisins, almonds &
spices), potato pancakes, soups, Gluehwein (German mulled wine) and a variety of one-pot
meals. Box lunches are available for busy downtown workers who prefer to order and go, and
special pricing and menus are also available for school and tour groups.
Also at Lock 3, the popular ice skating rink returns and in response to demand, remains
open until February 19. At 80’ x 120’, it is the largest seasonal skating venue
in the state of Ohio. With free admission and $2.00 skate rental, the rink is an
affordable outing for families, children’s birthday parties, school groups, couples
and downtown workers. And even if you aren't up for skating, stop by the rink on December
1& 2 at 12:30, 3:30 or 7 pm and December 3 at 12:30 or 3:30 pm as individual and group
skaters from the Chemnitz Skating Club (famous for producing champion ice skaters such as
Olympian Katarina Witt) perform.
Events and entertainment abound this holiday season both at Lock 3 and in Downtown
Akron–from German Lantern parades, a new Countdown to FirstNight Calendar and
KinderZone at Lock 3 Park to memorable downtown favorites such as Children’s Ballet
Theatre’s production of the Nutcracker at the Civic Theatre, the Children’s
Hospital Holiday Tree Festival and the 20th Annual Welcome Santa Parade. New
events this year include the nation’s first-ever Vertical Parade of Homes at
Northside Lofts and Snowshoe Walks and Caroling at the Mustill Store presented by the
Cascade Locks Parks Association. For a complete listing of the many events happening in
Lock 3 Park and throughout Downtown Akron, please refer to www.holidayfest.org.
To easily enable visitors to access the many events, attractions and parking downtown,
the City of Akron is excited to offer a new, free Holidayfest Trolley running
approximately every 15 minutes and stopping at various Holidayfest venues such as the
Akron Civic Theatre, The Vertical Parade of Homes at Northside, and the Akron-Summit
County Public Library. The trolley will transport visitors from November 25 through
FirstNight on December 31. Visitors should check www.holidayfest.org for a complete
schedule of dates and times of operation, as well as a detailed trolley route map.
Holidayfest is produced by the City of Akron and is
made possible by FirstMerit Bank as Holidayfest’s Presenting Sponsor. For visitor
information, including dates and hours of operation, a detailed calendar of downtown
events and parking, visit www.holidayfest.org or call
(330) 375-2871.
###
Contact:
Elizabeth Sheeler, Holidayfest Communications Director
elizabeth@holidayfest.org, 330.864.8862 |
