Downtown Akron was abuzz with excitement and pride Thursday night, when thousands of people packed Lock 3 Park, Canal Park and the streets nearby to mimic celebrations in Cleveland the day before.
Though the partygoers didn’t reach nearly the million people estimated to have attended the Cleveland parade on Wednesday, the Akron event drew its own set of almost 30,000 elated Cleveland Cavaliers fans to celebrate a hometown superstar’s role in winning the historic NBA title showdown against the Golden State Warriors.
The party in Akron began hours before the event was scheduled to open its doors at 7 p.m.
James Burges, 57, of Lakemore, arrived at 4:30 p.m. He came alone, but he was surrounded by like-minded fans. He thought the O’Neil’s parking deck overlooking Lock 3 — where the event was held — would be a good place to watch because he’s watched fireworks from the deck in years past.
He said he was there to support LeBron James.
“He’s a hometown hero,” Burges said. “I have to support that. I’ve got to witness this.”
Cory Salerno, 29, of North Canton, agreed. He, along with several other people, sat in a the bed of a pickup truck parked in the deck. None of them knew who the truck belonged to, but it was fair game for seating.
“I’ve always been a huge LeBron James fan,” said Salerno, who arrived at 5 p.m. “I couldn’t make it to Cleveland yesterday, but this is the next best thing.”
Others stood in a stairwell of the parking deck, peeking out of a window to get a glimpse of the scene below.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people waited in lines to get into Lock 3. The ones who got in were speckled in wine and gold.
Among them was Rochelle Mack, 48, of Akron. She was perched atop a six-foot high utility box, bouncing to the music.
Asked how she got up there, she responded: “Don’t tell anybody, but I can fly.”
Mack said she wouldn’t miss the event.
“I like to feel the energy, and Akron has not had this type of energy in a long time,” she said. “I love it.”
Almost everyone at Lock 3 was wearing Cavs swag.
A few of the more interesting T-shirt messages read: “God loves Cleveland,” “Just a kid from Akron,” and “Maybe you should practice,” with the last worn by a young boy.
A sheet draped over the Lock 3 fence read, “There’s no place like home.”
With so many people gathered, merchants and businesses were bound to benefit.
Lines to get a table at Barley House and the Lockview were 50 or more people deep. Meanwhile, Baxter’s Bar was closed for a private event.
Among the merchants, which set up shop at nearly every street corner, was Ryan Weiss, who runs Rockeverywear Apparel & Art. He was selling T-shirts and other items from a converted truck parked outside the Akron Civic Theatre.
“It has been nonstop,” he said about the sales. “We started selling at 3:30 and we haven’t stopped selling since.”
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com. Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.