Saturday, December 9th is Light Up Akron Day!
The day begins with the Annual Cookie sale and Basket Auction at the First United Methodist Church from 9am till noon. Then, get some holiday shopping done at the Akron PTA’s large Craft and Vendor show that will be held throughout the Elementary School hallways from 10am till 4pm. Also that day, the merchants on Main Street will be open from 10am with extended hours until 8pm for a little Moonlight Shopping. A Polar Express-themed Scavenger Hunt called “the Akron Express” is planned for the day so you may want to grab information at Market on Main to start your adventure.
Village residents are encouraged to have their homes decorated for the holidays by December 10th and be ready to turn on their lights by 4:30pm when the fire whistle blows to begin the parade and light up the Village of Akron! But you will want to turn those lights on a bit early so that you can catch the Akron Central School Elementary Chorus in the Gazebo in Russell Park singing festive holiday songs beginning at 4:15pm prior to the parade.
Once the Gala Light Up Akron Parade begins, be ready to see floats, trucks, cars and more all lit up and making their way from ACS to Main Street and featuring the Akron Central School Santa Band. Sorry, there will be no candy throwing of any kind. A prize will be awarded for the most festive parade entry. Anyone interested in participating in the parade must be at the AAkron Rule Parking Lot across from the school by 4pm. Parade participants are asked to wear or have decorative lighting to promote Light Up Akron!
The parade route will begin on Bloomingdale and make its way onto Main Street continuing toward Russell Park. The Santa Band, Santa, Mrs. Claus and Mayor and Mrs. Patterson will exit at Church and Main Streets to proceed to the gazebo in Russell Park, where Pastor Dale Gooch will bless our community with prayer and Mayor Patterson will welcome everyone. Then, together with Santa and with assistance from the Santa Band, the community tree will be lit. Don’t forget your cameras as there will be pictures with Santa at the C. Dee Wright Center after the post-parade band and chorus performance in the gazebo.