Whether you’re in it for the food, the crafts or just here for the fireworks, there’s lots to love about a festival. Luckily for us, Stark County offers plenty of ways to get outside and enjoy local events, from the big gatherings to quirky small-town affairs. Here’s a look at five festivals worth a visit this summer.
Have you ever been stalked by a ceiling fan company? It’s terrifying. My wife and I were remodeling our porch, and we needed a ceiling fan. One search online, and all of the Chatty Cathy’s of the world wide web got together and decided that anytime I peeked at a screen, a ceiling fan ad should be there. Every website I visited was populated with ads for them.
Every day of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival is packed full of great events. On August 3, bring the kids to the Hall for First Play at 10 a.m., and come back later for the Class of 2017 autograph session and the NFL/Hall of Fame Game. This year, it’s the Arizona Cardinals vs. the Dallas Cowboys at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Next in the line-up is the Gold Jacket Photo Op at 9:30 a.m. August 4. Don’t miss the Fashion Show Luncheon at the Canton Memorial Civic Center.
Bring the whole family to the Jackson Township Community Celebration. With food concessions, games, children’s rides, entertainment and more, it’s sure to be a fun time for everyone.
Listen to all kinds of blues music at the Canton Blues Fest on Market Square in downtown Canton. In its 16th year, this year’s free festival will feature Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers on June 9 and Robben Ford on June 10. The headliners will take the stage at 8:30 p.m., but don’t worry, there will be plenty to do all day from noon to 10:30 p.m. each day. VIP passes for one night only are $50, and VIP passes for both nights are $80.
First Friday—May 5: Spend the first Friday of the month in downtown Canton for First Friday. Start the party at the Canton Museum of Art at 5:30 p.m. for the First Stop, and continue to make your way downtown from 6 to 10 p.m. Enjoy music, performances and visual arts events, as well as local food and drinks in downtown Canton’s variety of restaurants, bars and coffee shops. May’s theme is Make Peace May. And there’s a free First Friday family movie at the Canton Palace Theatre that starts at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. to see “The Princess Bride.”
At the time I was writing this, I was planning my vacation to South Carolina. I usually prefer to have every minute of a trip planned out so that no time is wasted. I requested travel guides months in advance and started thinking about what I would want to do. It was all-consuming.
Stark County Sheriff George T. Maier has spent more than three decades protecting residents. The Massillon native began his law enforcement career in 1981 as a patrol officer for the Hartville Police Department.
Melissa Kath moved to Stark County seven years ago, after her husband accepted a job as a professor at Walsh University. Originally from Minnesota, the teacher at Fairless Elementary School lives in downtown North Canton—a location that gives her quick access to many of the things she loves about Stark County.
In Northeast Ohio’s crowded summer concert and show lineups, here are 10 standouts.
