Civic Saturday Akron

04/23/2026

Yay! Bring the kiddos and make a day of it with Akron Children's Museum and The Longest Table Akron at Lock 3 this Saturday!

04/22/2026

We wanna know— what are YOU bringing to the Longest Table April 25 at Lock 3?! Friends, cookies, kale salad, vibes?

🤳🏽Record a quick video

🥗 Tell us what you’re bringing you’re bringing to The Longest Table

👋 Post it on your social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) OR email 📧 your clip to [email protected] for us to share!

Looking for ideas? 💡 Based on our RSVPs, we could especially use main dishes like casseroles, rice and beans, baked pastas, wings etc… homemade or store-bought, simple is perfect!

Want to donate food to share with the whole community? Restaurants, businesses, local farmers we’d love to feature your fare— message [email protected]

RSVP and more info at civicsaturdayakron.org

In case of rain we move to Apr 26 same time/same place! ☀️

See you at the Longest Table!

03/24/2026

Yay hooray it’s The Longest Table Akron at Lock 3— a shared meal in the heart of downtown Akron, April 25 from 12:30 PM to 3 PM! 🎉

There are so many folks bringing this table together and we’d love for you to join in!

BECOME A TABLE HOST 🥙
• invite a handful of friends
• coordinate with your guests to bring food for your table
• welcome new folks joining your table
• consider applying with a friend to share the fun
• apply through April 10 at action.civicsaturdayakron.org

VOLUNTEER 👋
Help make this first Longest Table Akron an experience to remember! Opportunities include:
• making food for the potluck
• welcoming and seating guests
• being a roving host
• community art
• set up and clean up
• posting flyers around town
• inviting folks on social media

SPONSOR OR DONATE 💝
Help fill our community potluck tables with delicious local food — make an in-kind or tax-deductible donation at action.civicsaturdayakron.org (link in profile)

RSVP AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS 💌
• Grab your spot at civicsaturdayakron.org

VERY SPECIAL THANKS to The Longest Table Akron event sponsors and grantors:

Miller’s Party Rental Center Miller's Party Rental Center
Susan and Terry Yingling
Mary Coyle
Norka NORKA Beverage
Arts Now ArtsForward ArtsNow
Summit Artspace Summit Artspace
Longest Table Community
civicsaturdayakron.org

🎨 by Christina Turner happywonderfool.com

03/19/2026

HUGE thanks to Miller's Party Rental Center for sponsoring The Longest Table Akron at Lock 3 -- providing tables and chairs for hundreds of neighbors to gather for good food and good company! We are grateful to be in community with you!

Miller's Party Rental provides a wide and innovative selection of products and services that will enhance your style and creativity.

03/19/2026

We're so excited for The Longest Table Akron at Lock 3 April 25, and we invite YOU to help shape the gathering!
Volunteer, host a table, give a gift -- there are so many ways to make this free community potluck a joyful and impactful moment for all of Akron! Find your spot -->

Join your neighbors for a free community potluck in downtown Akron, April 25! Host a table, volunteer, or just come share a meal. A Civic Saturday Akron event.

01/07/2026

Film Club is back for a second year, and we’re so excited to feature Cleveland filmmaker, entrepreneur and artist, Wayne Smith III in our January kick off!

Wayne’s body of work centers narrative storytelling, exploring themes of identity, community, science fiction, history, the Black experience, disability, loss, and surrealism. His films are deeply human, thoughtful, and grounded in lived experience.

Join us on Friday, January 23 for a free screening of two of Wayne’s short films, plus a sneak peek at a mystery project.

• Max Gains (2023) - A dark comedy about the trust we blindly outsource to others in pursuit of self improvement | Featured Selection: 48 Hour Horror Film Festival & YCR a Night at the Pictures - 8 minutes.

• No Two Flowers (2024) - An immersive documentary about masculinity, disability and how these concepts relate to nature | Featured Selection: Ingenuity Festival 2023 & Borderlight Fringe Theater Festival 2024 - 18 minutes.

• Untitled Mystery Project (2025) - A rough cut of an experimental documentary Opus, dealing with Cleveland, Art, & the DIY Scene - featuring many local talents - 22 minutes.

Stay after the films for a Q+A with Wayne, who will share insights into his creative process and artistic journey.

7pm 🍿Doors open
7:30pm 🎬Showtime!

Free and all are welcome! RSVP for free tickets at civicsaturdayakron.org 🎟️ Popcorn, candy and soft drinks provided. 🥤 Feel free to bring add’l food/snacks 🍕and BYOB. 🍻

We’ll meet upstairs in the Civic Saturday Highland Square HQ, corner of W. Market St. and N. Rose Blvd. There is a parking lot around back and free street parking on most surrounding streets.

If you have accessibility needs or require an accommodation/service to participate, please contact Kristy Clark at mailto:[email protected]

RSVP for free tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-club-featuring-wayne-smith-iii-tickets-1979341452567?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/01/2026

So much to celebrate as we enter 2026 🎉THANK YOU for a second year of Civic Saturdays in Akron! Help us shape future gatherings — take a short survey ✅ linked in the comments below. Read our newsletter 💌 for upcoming events and end of year highlights. Here are just a few of our favorite moments. 💝

Citizen University comes to Akron to lead its first place-based Civic Saturday Fellowship training. February 2025, Highland Square

Civic Saturday Akron Community Hub launches with Chicago and Seattle as one of 3 geographic CU Hubs across the nation. March 2025, Highland Square

Civic Saturday Akron represent! Seven Akron Fellows travel to the Citizen U Alumni Homecoming. May 2025, Seattle

Civic Saturday goes to Bounce with special guest Marjan Ehsassi, executive director of the Federation for Innovation in Democracy North America. June 2025, Downtown Akron

Citizen University alum from across the nation join Akronites at Citizen Assembly School hosted by FIDE and Unify America. June 2025, Downtown Akron

Film Club X Civic Saturday kicks off its first of many free community movie nights. July 2025, Highland Square

Dominic Moore-Dunson shares his experience of civic love — transforming strangers into neighbors and place into home. August 2025, Highland Square

Through courageous conversation in Civic Circles, we explore creative ways to strengthen our neighborhoods and build civic power. August 2025, Highland Square

Citizen U returns for a special CU Akron Hub porch gathering.September 2025, Highland Square

Akron Black Artist Guild transforms Civic Saturday with their creative youth-led take: “Words into Action.” September 2025, West Akron

Akron Law hosts its first Civic Saturday, inviting folks to engage in productive conversation across challenging topics. October 2025, University of Akron

Professor Brant Lee asks us to think deeply on our connection to this land and its history at Civic Saturday hosted by University of Akron School of Law. November 2025, University of Akron

We had 22 amazing organizations and community groups join us for Civic Matchmaking this year! Get involved and connect with resources and support at civicsaturdayakron.org

11/13/2025

It’s almost time for Civic Saturday at University of Akron School of Law ! 🎉

This weekend, gather with neighbors, friends (or soon to be friends), for coffee, conversation and connection, as we explore how explore how we as a community can navigate these changing times. 💙

Join us on November 15, 10am - noon for the final Civic Saturday of the year, hosted by students and faculty at University of Akron School of Law, including Civic Saturday Akron Fellow and U of A Professor, Brant Lee.

Coffee and breakfast treats will be provided. ☕️ 🍩

Free and open to all. No tickets are necessary, but please RSVP at civicsaturdayakron.org so we can prepare a comfortable space. 🎟️

This Civic Saturday we’re spotlighting Akron Canton Regional Food Bank, leading a collaborative network that empowers people to experience healthy and hunger-free lives. ACRFB distributes food to feed people, and they advocate, engage and convene our community in the fight to end hunger.

Bring these most-needed items to Civic Saturday to support the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank:
Boxed Cereal
Canned Soup/Stew
Canned Tuna
Canned Vegetables
Macaroni & Cheese
Peanut Butter

We will also continue to accept donations as listed in last months Civic Matchmaking Spotlight for ACCESS Shelter.

Thank you for all you do to make our community stronger, brighter, and more connected. See you this weekend! 💖

civicsaturdayakron.org

10/09/2025

It’s a spooky Film Club! 👻 Join us Friday, October 17 for a mystery movie just in time for Halloween! 🎃

Doors open at 7pm. Showtime 7:30pm. 🎬 Group convo following the film.

Free and open to all but this movie is rated R, so not for the kiddos.

BYOB for fancy drinks 🍹 and we’ll provide the popcorn, candy and snacks. 🍿

Upstairs in the Civic Saturday space — 981 W Market St corner of W Market and N Rose Blvd. Limited parking available in the back lot and free parking on most surrounding streets.

For accessiblity-related needs please contact Kristy Clark mailto:[email protected]

See you soon!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-club-x-civicsaturdayakron-tickets-1796582870729?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/08/2025

Looking for something to wake up for this weekend? How about free Portal West Coffee ☕️ and North Hill Donuts 🍩 bright and early at 10am in Highland Square as doors open for Civic Saturday Akron tomorrow! ☀️

Meet your neighbors, connect with amazing local organizations, share your perspective, find resources and ways to make a difference! 💫

10am coffee, donuts, civic matchmaking
10:30am poetry, music, keynote speaker Dominic Moore-Dunson
12pm Civic Matchmaking Hour

RSVP for free tickets at civicsaturdayakron.org

08/08/2025

📚💫 WELCOME STUDENTS WITH A GOAL (SWAG) 💫📚

We’re so excited to welcome Students With A Goal (SWAG) to Civic Matchmaking at Civic Saturday Akron August 9 in Highland Square!

SWAG is a community-based academic mentoring program located at Akron’s Summit Lake Community Center. Offering after-school support to middle and high school students, they guide youth through learning, leadership development, and goal setting. Their daily routine includes homework help and enrichment in arts, vocational awareness, and relationship-building.

💬 Connect with folks at SWAG during Civic Matchmaking from 10–10:30am + 12–1pm to explore:
🙋🏽‍♂️ Volunteer opportunities for mentors, tutors + events
💼 Career Day and community partnership opportunities
📣 How to sponsor a student or support the SWAG mission
👥 Ways to walk alongside Akron youth on their journey to success

🗓️ Civic Saturday • August 9
📍 Former church at W Market & N Rose Blvd, Highland Square
☕ Coffee, donuts + matchmaking: 10am
🎤 Civic Saturday program: 10:30am–12pm
💬 Civic Matchmaking: 12–1pm
🎟️ Free + open to all → RSVP: civicsaturdayakron.org