Enshrinement Festival announces schedule enhancements

The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Pro Football Hall of Fame have announced several enhancements to the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival activities schedule.

The Concert & Fireworks show in downtown Canton that has been held for many years on the same evening as the Enshrinement Ceremony will be moved to Thursday night, July 29, to signal the dynamic kick off to the 11-day, 18-event Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival. The event will be held in its traditional format and at the same location, with the hub of activity occurring at Ninth Street and Market Avenue North in downtown Canton.

“The Enshrinement and Concert & Fireworks events have co-existed nicely for many years, but as the Enshrinement time shifted to later in the evening to accommodate prime time television viewing audiences, it became apparent that an adjusted schedule made sense and would also better accommodate the thousands of local citizens who want to support and enjoy both events,” noted Joanne Murray, Enshrinement Festival director. “As we work through the massive details of making this change, we appreciate the superb cooperation we are receiving from all of our partners, including ArtsinStark, the County Arts Council, and Cultural Center for the Arts, City safety and service personnel, sponsors, property owners, and the committee volunteers who will bring the plans to fruition.”

“The Enshrinement Festival gets better and more enjoyable each year as the staff and volunteers from the Canton Regional Chamber and the Pro Football Hall of Fame work together to make improvements,” said Steve Perry, president and executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “This schedule change will accommodate people who want to attend the Concert & Fireworks as well as the Enshrinement Ceremony. We are grateful for the strong community support that is so critical to making the continued growth and development of the Enshrinement Festival possible.”

Mayor William J. Healy II expressed his support for rescheduling the display while keeping the same location. “This is one of the best fireworks displays in Ohio and brings thousands of people to downtown Canton,” he said. “The City is proud to work in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and Hall of Fame to help make this event great,” he added. “The Pro Football Hall of Fame provides an immeasurable benefit and sense of pride to our community, and we are pleased to be a part of this annual celebration.”

Another adjustment in the schedule of events is that the Fashion Show Luncheon will start one-half hour earlier on Friday, Aug. 6, with doors opening at 11:00 a.m. and activities beginning at 11:30 a.m. While only a slight time adjustment, it will give caterers much needed time to reset the facility for the Enshrinees Dinner held later in the day. A reminder to ticket holders will be included when tickets are mailed in early July.