AKRON, Ohio – Downtown Akron Partnership’s popular Sakura Festival returns to downtown on Saturday, April 4 from 1-7 p.m.
The free event celebrates the arrival of spring and honors Japanese culture. “Sakura” is the Japanese word for flowering cherry trees. The festival is scheduled to coincide with the blooming of 472 cherry blossom trees, although peak bloom may occur slightly before or after the event. The Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio and the City of Akron planted the cherry blossom trees along the Towpath Trail in 2011 and 2012, according to the city.
This year’s event takes place at Lock 2, Lock 3, Towpath Trailhead at Spaghetti Warehouse, the James R. Williams Tower in Ohio & Erie Canal Park and The Mustill Store, according to the event website…