Community is focus of ‘Light up Akron!’
Community is the focus of the annual ‘Light Up Akron!” event set for this Saturday, December 9. The community is coming together to celebrate the holiday season with music, food, opportunities to find that special gift for loved ones and for those you may never meet but who need a little something to bring them cheer, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and Lights. Organizers hope the community will light up their homes, adding to lights already on Main Street and in Russell Park.
Village residents are encouraged to have their homes decorated for the holidays by December 9th and be ready to turn on their lights by 4:30 p.m. when the fire whistle blows to begin the parade and light up the Village of Akron
Elementary Chorus
If you want to catch the Akron Central School Elementary Chorus in the Gazebo in Russell Park singing festive holiday songs beginning at 4:15 p.m. prior to the parade, you may want to flip the switch on your lights a bit early. Beginning at 4 p.m., One Church volunteers will serve warm beverages from the park shelter for all to enjoy.
Shopping opportunities
Activities and opportunities begin at 10 a.m. as you can do some holiday shopping at the Akron PTA’s large Craft and Vendor show, which includes a large Basket Raffle, held throughout the Elementary School hallways from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Shopping opportunities continue with the merchants on Main Street. Their shops will be open from 10 a.m. with extended hours until 8 p.m. 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.
All that shopping may have you thinking about some sweet treats. The Annual Cookie sale and Basket Auction is planned at First United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. until noon, and there are treats to be discovered in shops on Main Street as well.
Family activities
For a little family fun, you can check out the Newstead Public Library from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., where there will be children’s crafts, cookies and hot cider all day. And if your legs get tired you may enjoy a Banner Farms horse-drawn wagon ride along Main Street.
Santa Light Parade
Once the Gala Light Up Akron! Parade begins at 4:30, 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 4 p.m. to line up. Parade participants are asked to wear or have decorative lighting to promote Light Up Akron!
Led by the Akron Police Department, the parade route will begin on Bloomingdale and make its way onto Main Street continuing toward Russell Park. Santa, Mrs. Claus and Mayor and Mrs. Perry will all be there and want to see you, too, either as a parade participant or along the route to Russell Park.
Dinner opportunities
If you’re getting hungry, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., the First United Methodist Church will hold a take out Spaghetti Dinne. You will still have time to enter their Basket Raffle throughout the day or while enjoying the band “In the House” which will perform from 5 to 7 p.m. The Terra House Café will have special hours for your dining pleasure from 4 p.m.- to 8 p.m. and the other great community restaurants will also be open to serve you. Or if you feel like a having a great snack, you will want to visit the Cheesy Chick food truck or Papa’s Popcorn truck near Russell Park.
Tree Lighting
After the parade, Mayor Perry will say a few words and light the tree, the Santa Band will preform in the gazebo, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for pictures.
You’ll be able to check out the Bank on Wheels van in front of Bank on Buffalo on Main Street.
Christmas from the past
Akron’s own historic gems will be open for the event. Just take a short walk up to the Knight Sutton Museum at 123 Main Street between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to view its historic display. Then travel a bit further to the Octagon House. It will be all decked out for Christmas and you will want to see the annual candlelight tour being held between 6 to 8 p.m.
Thank You
There is literally something for everyone during “Light Up Akron!” Organizers hope to see you there and would like to thank Christmas Lights of WNY owner Bobby Wilkinson for the donation of lights and labor that will light up the community tree and Russell Park for the holiday season, as well as the Village of Akron, the Akron Fire Company for their help with the parade and burn barrels, the Akron Police Department for their service to our community, and local businesses Perry’s Ice Cream, Bank on Buffalo and BBD for supporting this annual event.