In 2023, we were introduced to a variety of Everyday Akron hosts who shared their sides of this city we call home. (Or that we have as our work address.) (Or that we visit when catching up with friends and family.) (Or drop in on the way to Columbus or Cleveland.) (Or … you get the point.)
Last year, the @everydayakron Instagram community organically grew to more than 11,000 followers. Which is mind-blowing. Thank you for following along, engaging with hosts and genuinely looking for positive ways to support the Greater Akron area.
Let’s reflect on the top 23 posts by last year’s hosts. (Plus a bonus one for 2024.)
But first … What do we mean by “top” posts?
These “top” posts are the ones with the most impressions and/or engagement. Which means you all liked them, left comments or asked questions, sent them to a friend, bookmarked them for later, shared them to your Instagram Stories, etc. (Many are from the second half of the year due to the growing community and the way [confusing] algorithms work.)
Alright, let’s get to it. Starting with #23 …
23. Pride in Akron
Starting off the list is the 2023 Akron Pride Festival schedule. The annual event is always a fun time. People from all over Northeast Ohio visit Akron to march, volunteer, run the 5K, enjoy live performances and more.
22. 101 Miles of Biking
Amber highlighted the Towpath Century Ride, a 101-mile bike ride to benefit the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.
21. Ocelot Cafe
Nora featured Ocelot Cafe & Bakery in Richfield, saying, “I truly could not say enough good things about this place. They serve some of the best baked goods I’ve tried in Ohio. With fun flavor combinations, and a menu that changes daily, there is always something delicious and new to try–but get there fast, because they sell out quickly most days!”
20. Summit Lake Additions
Tom featured a few comparisons from his previous takeover, like this one of Summit Lake. When you stop by, be sure to check out the Summit Lake Nature Center.
19. Duma Meats
Marissa highlighted Duma Meats in Mogadore, where she gets Eastern European goods and dog treats.
(The post was pushed through to Facebook and received a lot of engagement there.)
18. Kid-Friendly Fun
Amber spotlighted a variety of kid-friendly places that the family will enjoy. Click through to see her photos and full caption with info.
17. Skatepark & BMX Track
Tom also highlighted the skatepark and BMX track near Derby Downs. (Did you know it was there?)
16. Making Mocktails
Branches of the Akron-Summit County Public Library are always hosting fun, educational events. Matous shared his experience of learning to make mocktails with Baxter’s Speakeasy.
15. Enjoying the Music
Evan reminded everyone of Akron’s incredible music scene. Click through to see his list of musicians and bands.
14. Hacking the Algorithm
When I hosted in the fall, I shared a video encouraging people to “hack the algorithm.” Find out what that means in the post’s caption, and be sure to scroll through the comments to find your new favorite local business!
13. Date Night in Akron
Evan also shared a few ideas for the perfect date night in Downtown Akron, including El Patrón Tequileria and Cilantro Thai & Sushi.
12. Cardinal Cakes
Cass featured breakfast at Cardinal Cakes and the variety of goods found at Beau’s Market & Deli.
11. 1951 Rubber Bowl Postcard
Kenneth shared a postcard from 1951, along with a bit of history about sports, concerts and other events at the Rubber Bowl.
10. Eating Our Way through Akron
Cil shared some of her top meals she’s enjoyed in the Akron area, including Remarkable Diner in Barberton and a traditional Ethiopian dinner from Bereka Coffee.
9. Mountain Biking
Another post that gained traction on Facebook was when Brittany shared her mountain biking adventures at Hampton Hills Metro Park and beyond.
8. Getting Personal
Morgan shared her story of living with an uncommon disease, prompting many followers to connect in the comments.
7. Joking Around
When I hosted in November, I created some Taylor Swift x Travis Kelce memes that were shared all week long by followers. Because when we laugh at ourselves, we take a little bit of power away from the rude Ohio memes. 😉
6. Just Keep Swimming
Another post that popped off on Facebook was Nat’s list of local swimming pools. This is definitely one to bookmark for the summer!
5. Blossoming at CVNP
Amber shared her visit to Blossom Music Center to see “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” with the Cleveland Orchestra.
4. Getting Artsy in Kenmore
Joe popped by Kenmore and took photos of the murals in the neighborhood. If you’re looking for a splash of color, head over there.
3. King James Says Hello
LeBron James gave Akron a shoutout when the LeBron James Family Foundation hosted in August. The organization also had high-engagement posts related to their intro for the week, I PROMISE Village, and a Reel featuring I PROMISE school students.
2. Barberton Magic
Tressa featured a variety of restaurants, breweries, ice cream shops, a bookstore (with cats!) and more in Barberton, Ohio. It’s a good reminder to not be afraid to discover more in the Greater Akron area.
1. Otterly Adorable
Matous shared his video of a river otter in the Cuyahoga River. Thanks to efforts to revitalize our local waterways, the wildlife is coming out to play. Have you seen any otters?
Bonus: #24 for 2024
Another popular Instagram Reel was from when I met up with the ladies behind The Akron Bucket List and Where to Go Ohio for drinks. Lindsey organized the gettogether – none of us had met in person before.
It was a great lesson in saying YES to new opportunities to connect with Akronites and those we usually see only via social media. Hopefully we all have more of that in this new year.
What will happen in 2024?
How were you inspired by 2023’s hosts? Will you be checking out any of the people, places and things highlighted in the top posts? What do you hope to see and learn about Akron in 2024?
Tell us on social media! Include #ExploreMore2024AK in your captions across platforms and tag @everydayakron in your posts. We’re excited to see the fun you have!
Looking for more ways to explore Akron in 2024? We’ll be posting more ideas throughout January and February. Check out the Explore More in 2024 page for updates.
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