Five days of fun planned in Cuyahoga Falls

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by Steve Wiandt

Reporter

Cuyahoga Falls -- The city is inviting everyone to celebrate freedom with five straight days of free events leading up to and including the Fourth of July weekend.

The city, Rockin' on the River, Summa Health Systems/Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital, and the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival have joined together to present "Falls River Square Rocks the Fourth" at the Falls River Square Amphitheater July 2 through 6.

Jennifer Syx, the city's deputy director of community development, said the five-day event grew from an initiative by Mayor Don L. Robart to host events on Falls River Square year-round. The expanded Independence Day observance is a variety pack that includes three concerts, two plays and a health fair.

"It's morphed into a really awesome event," said Syx. She said this is the first time the city has hosted a Fourth of July event this large. Two big selling points of the five-day event, she said, is there will be something of interest for everyone, and the price is right. Admission is free, and so is parking.

"We want families to know they can stay home and still have something to do this holiday weekend," Syx said.

"Rocks the Fourth" begins on July 2 with a live performance by the Western Reserve Community Band from 7 to 9 p.m. The show is being provided by the city's parks and recreation department, and officials say if the attendance is good, there could be more of these types of concerts during the summer.

The first of two Rockin' on the River concerts will take place July 3 from 5-11 p.m. when Pat Dailey takes the stage (opening act is The Ray Bans). Dailey is known for his concerts at Put-In-Bay.

In addition, the Community Health Fair sponsored by Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital of Summa Health System will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Pavilion on July 3 preceding the Pat Dailey show. The event will include complimentary snacks, kid's games, health screenings and much more. The Humane Society of Greater Akron will be present at the event with adoptable animals and Rita's Italian Ice and Custard will be giving out complimentary samples.

On July 4, from 5 to 11 p.m., Rockin' on the River continues with its regular Friday night concert, this time featuring Jimmy Buffett tribute band Fins to the Left (7T7 will open). On July 5, the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival will make its Falls River Square debut with its presentation of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" from 7 to 8:45 p.m. on the amphitheater?

On July 6, the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival returns, this time performing Tom Stoppard's dark comedy "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead." In addition to the live entertainment, food and beverages will be available and Falls River Square's interactive water fountain will be open.

Falls River Square is located just off state Route 8 at the Broad Boulevard exit. For more information, call 330-971-8135 or visit the city's Web site at www.cityofcf.com.

For more information on the Community Health Fair, call 330-971-7408.

E-mail: swiandt@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3141