April 25, 2026
A shared meal in the heart of downtown Akron. Free and open to all!
Join Civic Saturday Akron for The Longest Table, a free, open-air potluck bringing Akronites together for food and conversation, Saturday, April 25, at Lock 3 from 12:30 PM to 3 PM.
good food
The Longest Table is a celebration of shared abundance and mutual aid.
Bring a dish to share — homemade or store-bought, simple or special. Can’t bring food? Come anyway and fix yourself a plate! There is plenty to go around, and everyone is welcome at the table.
good company
More than just a meal, The Longest Table is a moment where Akronites who might never otherwise meet sit side by side and share conversation. We believe there is much to discover in breaking bread together, and we are committed to making The Longest Table an inclusive, accessible, and joyful experience for all.
thanks to you
Very special thanks to The Longest Table Akron event sponsors and grantors: Miller's Party Rental Center, Susan and Terry Yingling, Arts Now ArtsForward, Summit Artspace, and NYCNext.
Get involved with volunteer, host, and sponsorship opportunities.
Celebrating community + shared civic power
the civic saturday community
artists
catalysts
Helpers
hosts
The Civic Saturday experience
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Civic Readings
Neighbors read from texts that have shaped our nation and our values. We’re talking everything from The Bill of Rights to Beyoncé.
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Civic Reflections
Community leaders and civic catalysts share insights and ideas to challenge and inspire. Then we get together in Civic Circle to talk about it.
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Civic Circles
We circle up with strangers and friends to share our perspectives on relevant issues in the community and come up with ways to make an impact.
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Civic Matchmaking
Connect with powerful community groups and organizations offering resources and support, and find out how you can make a difference too.
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Music and Poetry
Where would we be without art? Local musicians lead us in song and poets share their thought-provoking words.
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Coffee and Conversation
Every good party ends up in the kitchen and Civic Saturday is no exception. Enjoy treats from local bakers and fine coffee provided by our friends at Portal West.
Civic Saturdays are joyful neighborhood gatherings celebrating community and shared civic power. Hosted by everyday Akronites, each Civic Saturday is a unique experience infused with civic joy and love.
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences defines civic joy as “a commitment to creative possibility in the face of pain and struggle” and civic love as “the bond of trust and affection that turns strangers into neighbors and place into home.”
In our first two years of Civic Saturday Akron, we’ve gone from strangers to neighbors as we’ve dreamed up creative possibility together, in the face of a lot of pain and struggle in our city. That’s civic joy and civic love in action.
why we gather
At Civic Saturday we share our perspectives and come to a deeper understanding of the challenges we face in our communities so we can co-create the change we wish to see.
We believe this intentional practice of gathering strengthens civic culture and activates shared civic power. Together, we become responsible, informed, and active participants in shaping the future of our city and our nation.
In 2026, we’re continuing to gather, expanding our community of hosts and organizers through the Citizen University Civic Saturday Fellowship. We’re excited to see more Civic Saturday-style events popping up across Akron.
Join our email list for invitations to upcoming Civic Saturdays and other ways to connect.
