AKRON, Ohio – Akron’s legacy in the rubber and toy manufacturing industries are well known, but soon the city will celebrate one of its lesser-known claims to fame with the inaugural Akron Oatmeal Festival.
Akron’s own Ferdinand Schumacher’s innovative 1850s oat mill was a catalyst for the breakfast staple’s rise in popularity nationwide. Schumacher, who was known as “The Oatmeal King,” founded the F. Schumacher Milling Company. There, he invented a machine to cut oats, which he packaged for sale. In the 1870s, he launched fast-cooking rolled oats by presoaking them and then flattening them between rollers to create oat flakes, according to the Historical Marker Database website. Schumacher’s milling company later merged with Quaker Oats, according to the Ohio Memory website.
The festival will celebrate the city’s oatmeal legacy on Oct. 11 from noon to 5 p.m. at Cascade Locks Park, located at 57 W. North St. The free event features:
Live music from local bands
Craft and art vendors
Food trucks
A celebration of Akron’s history and culture
The Akron Oatmeal Festival was inspired by festivals like Picklesburgh and the Ohio Pawpaw Festival. The fest promises to be a unique event that blends history, creativity and fun, according to an event news release.