Security preparations underway for July 4 events in Akron

AKRON, Ohio (WJW) – Security and safety preparations are underway and beefed up for the Rib, White and Blue Festival, as well as other events this week celebrating the July 4th holiday in Akron.

The annual free event attracts top BBQ vendors locally and nationally as well as live music and entertainment.

“There’s a lot of everything,” said Shelley Malloy of Malloys BBQ, last year’s second place winner for best ribs. “All of your festival favorites — elephant ears, lemonade, everything, so just a good time.”

There were concerns that the event might have to be canceled following the June 2 mass shooting on Kelly Avenue that claimed one life and injured 27 others, with the shooter still at large.

That led to Mayor Shammas Malik cancelling some Juneteenth events, but Akron police say after serious discussions and a lot of planning, the Independence Day celebrations can go forward.

“We continue to investigate the shooting on Kelly Avenue and we’re following up on every single lead that we can,” said Lt. Matt Whitmire from Akron Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit. “But we have a plan in place, we have an abundance of security we’ve been planning for this for months. It’s going to be a family-friendly environment. There’s absolutely no credible threats whatsoever.”

They can’t provide all of the details but say about 100 officers will be working in different capacities.

Rib, White and Blue kicks off Wednesday and runs each day from 11 a.m. t o 11 p.m. through Saturday night.

Fireworks will be displayed on July 4th at the fest downtown next to Lock 3 and also Patterson Park Sports Complex and Akron Fulton Airport.

“It’s a good thing that we have extra security because we want to make sure people who want to come down and enjoy it can,” said Malloy.

That way, she and the other vendors can do what they do best, she says, and that’s cooking up mouthwatering foods for the public to savor.

“That’s why we’re here. We’re excited to compete and we’re excited to serve the public!” Malloy said.

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