Akron’s heart is bigger than ever.
And the one-day event that’s dedicated to the city showing its love is the biggest one yet.
Having outgrown its previous Musica location, Big Love has found a new home in the Summit Artspace building.
This Saturday’s event — the third one in the event’s history — will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Organizers say there will be three floors filled with music, art and collaboration that will run uninterrupted for 12 hours.
The annual winter festival sets out to emphasize creative collaboration among artists and community members alike through performances, art installations, talks and workshops.
This year, some 30 visual artists will help create interactive pieces that promote working together as a community.
In one art space, artists will depict the north, south, east and west sides of Akron through their own interpretations.
“We’re trying to do our best to model what a collaborative, engaging community can look like,” said Zach Freidhof, one of the festival’s core organizers.
Big Love received a $5,000 grant from the Knight Foundation this year, along with funding from several other sponsors, to pull off the event that is free to the public.
This year’s theme for the festival is “building bridges” represents closing the gap between generations, races, genders and all divisions.
“An important bridge that needs to be built and strengthened is the one that connects all the sides of Akron together and to the broader consciousness of Akron,” said David Swirsky, another organizer of Big Love.
To bridge Akron’s past and present, the main stage on the third floor will pay homage to the city’s historic Howard Street Jazz District. It is hoped the event will also foster input on different community projects that will focus on the State Route 59 development project.
Another new element of this year’s festival is an expanded healing space where attendees can practice yoga and other activities that promote self-healing, reflection and mindfulness.
Big Love will also feature more than 15 musical acts, food vendors with food demos and a variety of workshops offered by area organizations that will teach and encourage participants to create strong bonds with one another.
Despite the festival’s growth, Big Love organizers are hoping to reduce one thing: waste.
The organizers have worked with the Chicago VeganMania zero-waste team to provide separate containers for compost and recycling throughout the festival.
In addition, all vendors will use compost friendly or recyclable materials and food vendors will offer locally grown food.
The festival last year generated just half a bag of trash.
“I think this year we can do even better,” Freidhof said.
Last year’s lovefest attracted more than 2,000 people and Freidhof expects an even larger turnout this year.
“There’s always been some meaningful collaboration that started at Big Love and has lasted to this day,” Swirsky said, citing a band that found its third member at Big Love two years ago, along with several artists that met at the event and wound up collaborating on projects.
Freidhof said he’s seen many families come and the parents have as much fun as the kids. He’s even overheard teenagers say they wish the festival were every weekend.
“It’s a great way to meet and engage with folks in a different way than they’re used to,” Freidhof said. “It’s a very powerful night.”
Big Love is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted.
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com.