AKRON, Ohio – The 45th annual Akron African American Festival will kick off Friday at Lock 3 in downtown Akron.
The Akron African American Cultural Association hosts the three-day festival, which is a celebration of Black culture, community, wellness and entertainment. Festival hours are July 18 from 5-9 p.m., and July 19-20 from noon to 9 p.m.
Festival highlights include:
- Food
- Games and activities for youth
- Artists and performers
- Community groups and organizations, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Free health and wellness screenings
- Beauty services, including free haircuts
- Vendors
The entertainment schedule is:
Friday, July 18
- DJ EZ Money
- Mike Austin
- Melrose Eve
Saturday, July 19
- DJ Hitman
- Russell Thompson
- Timi Funk
- The Beck Ward Project
Sunday, July 20
- DJ Tashabeatz
- Djapo Cultural Art Institute
- Rayr Image
- SWITCH
The event started in 1981 as a way to reach underserved communities in Northeast Ohio. The creation of the festival is rooted in the cultural explosion of community events that originated after the institutionalization of Civil Rights policy in the U.S., according to the festival website…