AKRON, Ohio – The Downtown Akron Sakura Festival returns Saturday, April 6, along the Towpath Trail and Ohio & Erie Canal Park.
The annual event celebrates the arrival of spring and Japanese culture. “Sakura” means flowering cherry tree in Japanese. The festival is scheduled to coincide with the bloom of more than 450 cherry blossom trees – though peak bloom may occur before or after the festival. This year’s festival runs from 3-9 p.m.
The festival is hosted by the Downtown Akron Partnership and admission is free.
This year’s event includes live performances, Japanese music, crafts, ikebana (flower arranging), a bonsai tree display, a story walk and a history walk. Local vendors will also offer goods for purchase.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase from the following vendors:
- Dr. Hibachi Food Truck
- Thai It Up Food Truck
- Red Bean Bakes
- Eddies Famous Cheesesteaks and Grille
- Galaxy Grill
- Bereka Coffee & Kitchen
- Malila Kitchen
- Birdies Food Truck
- Crepes All Day
- El Patrón Tequilería & Cuisine
- Henry’s Creamery
- Lock 3 Concession area (Sake flights and fair food)
- Chill and Indulge (located at 209 S. Main St.)
- Boiling House Akron (located at 1 W. Exchange St.)
Community members can sponsor one of the luminaria/lanterns. Sponsors can write a message that will be displayed on one of the lanterns and take the message home as a souvenir.
The Akron RubberDucks are offering discounted tickets ($12) for their game against the Altoona Curve on April 6 at 6:35 p.m. Cherry-blossom themed fireworks will follow the game.
The Akron Symphony Orchestra will have discounted day-of-concert tickets for its April 6 performance of Tchaikovsky & Bowden at E.J. Thomas Hall. Sakura Festival attendees can obtain a sticker at the event and show the sticker at the E.J. Thomas box office to receive the discount.
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