Everything you need to know about the 2023 Canton Repository Grand Parade

CANTON – A fishing boat will be floating along in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Canton Repository Grand Parade this year.

No, that's not a mistake. An actual, big fishing boat will be there.

It's an homage to Cleveland Browns legend and Hall of Fame enshrinee Joe Thomas, who famously opted not to attend the NFL draft and instead went fishing with his father. The Browns decided to honor Thomas by entering a fishing boat as their float in the parade.

In addition to the boat float, the 60th annual parade will showcase the Class of 2023 enshrinees and returning Hall of Famers, marching bands, antique vehicles, helium balloons, specialty units, celebrities and mascots.

The parade, organized by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, has long been a Canton tradition, with some people camping out along the route overnight to assure a premium viewing spot the next morning.

Here's everything you need to know to get you excited about this year's parade:

When is the Canton Repository Grand Parade?

The parade runs from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

What is the Hall of Fame Parade route?

The parade starts in downtown Canton along Cleveland Avenue S at approximately Fifth Street SW and travels north on Cleveland Avenue to 25th Street NW, where the parade begins to disband.

Who are the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinees participating?

Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas will likely be the most popular enshrinee in the parade because of his connection with Northeast Ohio. The other Class of 2023 enshrinees, who will either be there in person or be represented by family, are:

• Ronde Barber, cornerback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Don Coryell, head coach of the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Chargers

• Chuck Howley, linebacker with the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears

• Joe Klecko, defensive end with the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts

• Darrelle Revis, cornerback with the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs

• Ken Riley, cornerback with the Cincinnati Bengals

• Zach Thomas, linebacker with the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys

• DeMarcus Ware, linebacker with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos

42 Hall of Famers coming back

The enshrinees aren't the only football celebrities in the parade.

Forty-two Hall of Fame members will participate, including Peyton Manning (more on him later), Dan Fouts, Joe DeLamielleure, James Lofton and Isaac Bruce.

"It's really great to see how many want to return and participate in the parade," said Collyn Floyd, vice president of events and marketing strategy at the chamber. "We love to see so many of them coming back."

Everybody loves the Budweiser Clydesdales

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be marching. The horses have been stationed at the Kent State University Stark campus and have been making appearances throughout the region as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.

"One of the things we are most excited about is the Clydesdales leading off the parade," Floyd said.

There's a grand marshal this year!

Early on — as in ages ago — the parade featured a grand marshal but that tradition faded away.

But this year, the grand marshal is back ― in a special way. As part of the Aultman Women's Board's Angel Auction, the chamber offered a chance to serve as the grand marshal.

Jerry Schroer of The Schroer Group was the winning bidder. As if his role isn't special enough, he gets to ride on the wagon pulled by the Budweiser Clydesdales.

The chamber plans to keep the grand marshal position in future years.

How many floats and balloons?

The chamber made it an emphasis to boost the number of floats and balloons in the parade this year.

Last year, there were five floats. This year, there are 13 floats and nine helium balloons.

"We really believe strongly in float and balloon participation and that adds a lot to the experience," said Melissa Coultas, chamber vice president of development.

She added that companies such as Ziegler Tire and Hilscher-Clarke, along with the USFL, stepped forwarded to sponsor floats. The Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns (fishing boat!) also have floats.

"They really believe in what this festival means to this community," Coultas said.

In addition to the floats, there are several Cleveland Browns-themed vehicles — identified as "Browns spirit units" in the parade lineup — participating, including a school bus that looks like a dawg.

Why are Florida A&M University and West Virginia University in the parade?

Hall of Fame enshrinee Ken Riley is a graduate of Florida A&M University, a historically Black university in Tallahassee. Riley, who died in 2020, was a four-year starting quarterback for the Rattlers, leading them to a 23-7 record and three Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles.

Florida A&M is making the most of Riley entering the Hall of Fame. The marching band will perform in the parade, along with an A&M float, mascots and billboard truck.

Meanwhile, West Virginia University is sending cheerleaders, a dance team and mascot to honor graduate Chuck Howley, who starred and lettered in five sports at the school: football, track, wrestling, gymnastics and swimming.

Welcome back, Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning, who was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2021, is returning to Canton and participating in the parade this year.

The legendary quarterback turned advertising star turned TV host will be filming an episode of "Peyton's Places," an ESPN football-themed documentary series that examines historical moments in the game.

Manning will be riding in a vehicle with fellow Hall of Famers Dallas Cowboys receiver Drew Pearson and Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Lynn Swann and filming for the show.

How many local high school marching bands are in the parade?

Bulldogs, Tigers and Leopards, oh my.

The parade is packed with local high school bands, including those from Canton McKinley, Massillon and Louisville. Overall, there are 16 high school bands participating (listed in order of appearance):

• GlenOak

• Canton McKinley

• Perry Local

• Jackson Local

• Canton South

• North Canton Hoover

• Alliance

• Sandy Valley

• Tuslaw

• Minerva

• Massillon

• East Canton

• Louisville

• Lake

• Central Catholic

• Northwest

What's the 2023 Canton Repository Grand Parade lineup?

Here's the parade lineup, which is subject to change:

1. Canton City Police Department

2. U.S. Army Color Guard, Cleveland Recruiting Battalion, Canton Army Recruiting Station

3. Football player balloon, sponsored by The Canton Repository

4. 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, sponsored by Huntington Bank

5. Budweiser Clydesdales, sponsored by Sally Morse Dale, Nancy Morse Sonner and Visit Canton

6. The Walking Flag, sponsored by Joseph A. Jeffries Co.

7. 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Demarcus Ware

8. DeMarcus Ware family

9. Ultimate Fans: Dallas Cowboys

10. GlenOak High School Marching Band

11. Mix 94.1 Dave, Jimmy & Kelsey

12. Mix 94.1 Java Joel and Matt Fantone

13. 1480 WHBC: Jordan Miller and Kenny & JT

14. 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Ronde Barber

15. Ronde Barber family

16. Ultimate Fans: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

17. Seahorse balloon, sponsored by Synchrony Financial

18. Freedom float, sponsored by Newcomers Chapel of Pigeon Run

19. Canton McKinley High School Marching Band

20. Enshrinees Cliff Harris; 20th anniversary: Elvin Bethea, Joe DeLamielleure, James Lofton; 30th anniversary: Larry Little; 40th anniversary: Bobby Bell, Gwen Mitchell (wife-Bobby Mitchell)

21. 1932 Plymouth, 1930 Ford, 1933 Ford, 1928 Ford, 1931 Ford

22. Jeep with World War II veteran Bill Pilatti, sponsored by Memoirs of World War II

23. Perry High School Marching Band

24. 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Joe Thomas and float, sponsored by the Cleveland Browns

25. Joe Thomas family

26. Ultimate Fans: Cleveland Browns

27. Ken Carman, 92.3 The Fan

28. Browns spirit unit

29. The Magical Train, sponsored by Wishes Can Happen

30. Jackson High School Marching Band

31. 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Don Coryell's Family

32. Dan Fouts

33. Ultimate Fans: San Diego Chargers

34. Stark County Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit

35. FeLeap the Frog, Stark Parks

36. Canton South Wildcat Band

37. 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Darrelle Revis

38. Darrelle Revis family

39. Ultimate Fans: New York Jets

40. Beaver balloon, sponsored by Beaver Companies

41. 1920 Ford, 1927 Ford, 1930 Ford, 1931 Chevrolet, 1925 Ford

42. North Canton Hoover High School Marching Band

43. Miami Dolphins cheerleaders and mascot

44. 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Zach Thomas

45. Zach Thomas family

46. Ultimate Fans: Miami Dolphins

47. Fasteners Hold the World Together float, sponsored by Ziegler Bolt & Nut

48. 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Joe Klecko

49. Joe Klecko Family

50. Ultimate Fans: New York Jets

51. Alliance Aviator Band

52. Clownfish balloon, sponsored by Cintas

53. Cincinnati Ben-Gals cheerleaders, sponsored by Cincinnati Bengals

54. 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Ken Riley's family

55. Ultimate Fans: Cincinnati Bengals

56. Cincinnati Bengals fan vehicle

57. Florida A&M University Marching Band

58. Florida A&M University mascots

59. Florida A&M University float, sponsored by Florida A&M University

60. Florida A&M billboard truck

61. West Virginia University cheerleaders, dance team and mascot

62. 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Chuck Howley's family

63. Ultimate Fans: Dallas Cowboys

64. Float with past general chairmen, sponsored by Alumni Association/Western Reserve

65. Oscar the Grouch balloon, sponsored by Kimble Recycling & Disposal

66. Sandy Valley Cardinal Marching Band

67. Canton Mayor Thomas Bernabei

68. Robert Brazile, John Lynch, Billy Shaw, Monique Brown (wife-Jim Brown), Dave Casper, Issac Bruce; 10th anniversary: Dave Robinson, Warren Sapp; 25th anniversary: Mike Singletary

69. Schwebel's Toaster Mobile, sponsored by Schwebel's

70. Tuslaw Marching Mustangs

71. Dick Butkus, Tony Dungy, Charlie Joiner, Linda Brown (wife-Roosevelt Brown), Morten Andersen, Warren Moon, Gary Zimmerman, Peyton Manning, Drew Pearson and Lynn Swann

72. 1929 Ford, 1930 Ford, 1931 Ford, 1931 Ford, 1930 Ford Model A

73. Minerva High School Band

74. Canal Fulton mini-boat/horses

75. LaTresa Doleman (wife-Chris Doleman), Carl Eller, Joe Greene, Mike Haynes, Tom Mack, Emmitt Smith, Aeneas Williams, Helen Taylor (wife-Jim Taylor)

76. American Eagle balloon, sponsored by Daimler Truck North American

77. Todd Hawke, 2023 general chairman, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival

78. Ohio Wheelmen

79. Tara Greene (wife-Kevin Greene), John Hannah, Ken Houston and son, Curtis Martin, Jackie Smith, Jim Kelly, Charles Haley, DeBorah Little (wife-Floyd Little)

80. Hilscher-Clarke float

81. Massillon Tiger Swing Band

82. Obie the Tiger balloon

83. Dennis Saunier, president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

84. Flags of Freedom float

85. Dr. Tim Novelli, The Patriot Project

86. Medal of Honor Recipient Michael Thornton

87. Medal of Honor Recipient Matt Williams

88. MAPS Air Museum (World War II Jeep with Iwo Jima display; MP Jeep with trailer; Vietnam Jeep ambulance; World War I ambulance; World War II troop carrier truck; tug pulling Cobra helicopter; Air Force maintenance vehicle)

89. Buehler's Fresh Foods grocery cart, sponsored by Buehler's

90. Good Family Fire Department

91. South Shore Drill Team, sponsored by Canton Marathon Petroleum Corp.

92. Monster Truck, sponsored by Gigi's Playhouse

93. Summit Academy Schools float

94. Sue Palomba, 2023 chair of the Canton Repository Grand Parade

95. Sugardale/Freshmark mascots and van, sponsored by Sugardale/Freshmark

96. Louisville High School Band

97. Louisville Constitution Days queen

98. Goldy the G.O.A.T.

99. Build-a-Bear

100. Pigskin, Visit Canton

101. 97.5 WONE's Matt Spatz and Amanda Casey

102. 1950 Cadillac, 1964 Chevrolet

103. Sherp (all-terrain vehicle), sponsored by Ohio Auto Warehouse

104. Uncle Sam balloon, sponsored by Solmet Technologies

105. EN-RICH-MENT

106. Bob Golic, WNIR 100.1 FM

107. Stephanie Haney and Mike Polk Jr., Channel 3 News WKYC

108. Browns spirit unit

109. Puppy in a Tire float, sponsored by Ziegler Tire

110. East Canton High School

111. Rocket Ship balloon, sponsored by Aultman Health Foundation

112. Ohio Lottery float

113. Lake High School Blue Streak Marching Band

114. 1923 Model T Delivery Truck (Yohe Supply)

115. Central Catholic High School Band

116. K1 Speed Go Karts

117. 12th Man float, sponsored by Akron Auto Auction

118. Ralph O. Lee, chairman of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce board, and wife Janelle Lee

119. Ali Lumin, ACBC

120. Bumblebee balloon, sponsored by Akron Children's Hospital

121. House with the O'Jays float, sponsored by ABCD Inc.

122. USFL float

123. Northwest High School Marching Band

124. Canton City Fire Department

Where can you get parade tickets?

A limited number of reserved bleacher seats are still available. Buy tickets at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/05005D9BEBE44CEC or plant your chair along the 2.2-mile route. Tickets are $13.

Watch the parade live online

In case you can't watch the parade in person, it will be streamed live online. It will be available at CantonRep.com on Saturday morning.

Oh, and beware of traffic jams on Interstate 77

The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Stark County Sheriff's Office and Canton Police Department are warning motorists to be aware of increased traffic along Interstate 77 following Enshrinement Festival activities.

Authorities expect a jump in traffic from previous years and recommend that motorists avoid the highway after 3 p.m. Thursday and after 9 a.m. Saturday. The Hall of Fame Game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns is taking place Thursday night, while the Grand Parade, Enshrinement and Concert for Legends occur on Saturday.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: See who's participating in the 2023 Canton Repository Grand Parade