| (05/23/07) - The Memorial Day weekend marks
the beginning of the 5th season for Lock 3 Park, as Downtown Akron’s
popular entertainment destination launches another exciting summer with its best and
biggest lineup of activities and events yet. Akron area residents will be able to meet
their friends and neighbors for music a full five weeks earlier than last year at Lock 3.
The first concert of the 2007 season is this Friday, May 25,the kickoff for WONE FM’s
free Friday-night summer series, "Rock the Lock," featuring an all-star lineup
of tribute bands. see complete
schedule (230k pdf)
"We are extremely pleased with the evolution of Lock
3," said Mayor Don Plusquellic. "It has grown in popularity to become a
destination for families and people of all ages and its lineup of events is as fun and
diverse as it has ever been."
 Lock 3’s Time Warner Cable Stage will also feature three
special events to please your palate and your eyes as the City of Akron returns the
Akron Family Barbeque over the 4th of July weekend; the second annual National
Hamburger Festival; and the Akron Auto Showcase sponsored by Rubber City Radio Group
(WAKR, WONE, WQMX, AkronNewsNow).
For the first time, the City of Akron is operating Lock 3 events in cooperation with
the Downtown Akron Partnership. Kimberlee McKee, president of the Downtown Akron
Partnership said, "Lock 3 has followed closely the vision set for it by the mayor to
turn what were old storefronts into something special and give people a reason to come
back downtown. It has worked. Since opening in 2003, total attendance for all events has
been a half-million visitors."
Figures from last summer show 28,000 persons attended the Akron Family Barbeque. There
were more than 16,000 who came out for the Hamburger Festival on Main Street. The total
Lock 3 attendance in 2006 was more than 70,000 for summer events and more than 150,000 for
special events throughout the entire year.
Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth, who oversees all activities at Lock 3 Park sees the
momentum building from year-round use of Lock 3 Park. "The activity level Downtown
increases steadily each year as people find more and more reasons to come here," said
Lieberth.
"Because of this energy, we continue to see more private sector interest. Visitors
to Downtown this year will see construction underway next-door to Lock 3, as Main Street
Partners LLC converts old buildings adjacent to the Civic Theatre into a $15 million
retail, dining, and apartment complex."
Returning to Downtown for 2007 and at Lock 3 Park is Homegrown Saturday Mornings
July 28 - September 22, featuring the Beacon Farmers Market for nine
consecutive Saturdays, and also starring the popular Tom Dayton radio show, a weekly
pancake breakfast and games for children.
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