Spirit of Macedonia Returns After One-Year Pause — With Tighter Rules

A shooting at the 2024 Summerfest led to a canceled 2025 event. Now the festival is back, rebranded and resident-only. Macedonia’s beloved summer festival is returning to Longwood Park on June 19 and 20 after a year marked by gunfire, a difficult decision to pause, and a community reckoning over how to keep the tradition alive safely. Macedonia’s beloved summer festival is returning to Longwood Park on June 19 and 20 after a two-year journey marked by gunfire, a canceled season, and a community reckoning over how to keep the tradition alive safely. This year’s event carries a new name: the Spirit of Macedonia. The theme is “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights,” timed to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary. And for the first time, attendance is restricted to Nordonia-area residents, Mac Rec members, Nordonia school staff, and their guests. What Happened in 2024 The road back began on the final night of the 2024 Summerfest, when several gunshots were fired near the Macedonia Recreation Center on the evening of June 8. Drone camera footage captured people running from a ride as multiple officers moved toward the area where witnesses heard gunfire just after 10 p.m. No physical injuries were observed or reported, and the scene was immediately secured. A juvenile was initially apprehended at the scene but was later cleared as a suspect because the gun found on him did not match the bullet casing recovered by police. The youth was still charged with possession of a weapon as a minor. Summit County Crimestoppers offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the actual suspect, described as a man in an all-black outfit with a black hoodie. Mayor Nick Molnar released a statement calling the incident a stain on a decades-long tradition. “Unfortunately, this year, a few people have tarnished a tradition that Macedonia has held dear for decades,” he wrote. “We are, however, extremely fortunate that no one was physically injured.” He immediately paused all of the city’s seasonal festivals. The Festival Has Seen Its Share of Drama This is not the first time the festival has faced unexpected chaos. Back in June 2016, when the event was still known as the FunFest, a sudden storm rolled through and sent vendors scrambling to hold down their tents. NordoniaHills.News was on the scene that day and captured the whole thing on video. You can watch the moment the skies opened up https://youtu.be/ohoekJs4hKs?si=Fbf0oV3gSa5RNwyg . 2025: A Year Off to Rebuild Mayor Molnar explained that the 2025 cancellation came after “countless hours talking about safety” following the 2024 incident, with plans to resume the festival in 2026 once the necessary infrastructure was in place. “We initially were going to have it and change the location,” Molnar said. “Because we’re changing the location in the park, there’s infrastructure that’s not there to support it.” Samantha Edgar from the Macedonia Recreation Department elaborated that the new location was chosen specifically with crowd control in mind. “Part of the idea behind moving the location is safety,” she said. “The location that we’ve chosen is going to be easier to control people coming in, people going out.” What to Expect in 2026 The Spirit of Macedonia runs Friday, June 19, from noon to 10 p.m., and Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The festival moves this year from the Rec Center parking lot to a large open lot at the back of Longwood Park, adjacent to the athletic fields. City officials say the new space allows for better control of entry and exit points. Activities include kiddie rides, carnival food, a beer garden, live entertainment, local vendors, and the annual 5K, 1-Mile Walk/Run and Kids Fun Run. New this year is a Hybrid Drone and Fireworks Show on Saturday at 9:45 p.m. The chip-timed 5K kicks off Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Registration is available at macrec.com . Ride Wristbands and Rec Center Hours Wristbands are $20 pre-sale and $25 at the door. The event is rain or shine with no refunds. Wristbands can be purchased at the Mac Rec or by calling 330-468-8370. During the festival weekend, the Rec Center will operate on modified hours. On Friday, June 19, the center will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Saturday, June 20, hours are 7 a.m. to noon. Proof of Residency Required Attendees must show proof of residency, Mac Rec membership, or a Nordonia school staff ID at check-in. All guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.