Meet Megan Stangelo: She brings the Hall of Fame Festival Balloon Classic to life

Many people who have lived in Stark County for at least a year or two have seen the hot air balloons when the pilots come into the area for the Balloon Classic.

The event takes place during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week. This year, the balloons are scheduled to fly over Stark County from July 28 through July 30. The majestic balloons lift from the grounds surrounding the campuses of Kent State University Stark and Stark State College.

It is a huge event and is always well attended, which means the event planner has been busy all year preparing for the balloons, their pilots and the crowds. Megan Stangelo, event manager at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, is that event planner.

She graduated from Marlington High School and now lives in Canton with her 17-year-old miniature dachshund named Annie. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and worked in events throughout college. Stangelo then got a job right out of college at an event venue.

She worked in the Toledo area for 10 years in events before moving to Tampa, Florida, in 2015 where she worked at a convention and conference center for five years.

"I moved back to Ohio in 2020 to take a job at The DoubleTree Hilton Canton Downtown before making a jump to the chamber,” Stangelo said. “Events have always been my passion and background; beginning with weddings and naturally transitioning to corporate events, although I still do a few weddings on the side.”

This is the 37th year of the Balloon Classic and Stangelo’s third year managing the favored event.

“I wanted to be involved because I love the whole idea surrounding this event. It is family-friendly, free and a unique event to Northeast Ohio. I have enjoyed getting to know the balloon pilots, families and of course my wonderful committee,” she said.

Five questions with Dr. Dina Rooney: Executive director of Aunt Susie's Cancer Wellness Center

Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?

I flew in a hot air balloon for the first time last year.

It was the last flight of the weekend. The pilot and crew who took me up were absolutely amazing. I am not a fan of heights, but they made me feel so comfortable. We flew that Sunday morning, and it was so peaceful.

I would do it again in a heartbeat!

How many balloons does the event typically have at the event?

On average, we have 50 to 60 balloons attend our event each year.

We have a lot of local pilots, including those from Hartville, Sebring, and a handful from right here in Canton! We also have pilots who travel here for the weekend from Michigan, North Carolina, Iowa and Pennsylvania. The pilot who travels the farthest is from Texas.

What is the economic impact of the event each year?

It is estimated that there is $40 million dollar economic impact on Stark County through the Enshrinement Festival activities.

What is the hardest part for you when managing such a large-scale event?

As you can imagine, there are so many working parts to an event this size.

The biggest challenge is making sure all the parts work together seamlessly, from setup and load in to parking and traffic flow. We have the most amazing committee and community partners that ensure the success of the event.

Another challenge is of course the weather (we wish we could plan that!); having a plan in place in case of inclement weather; plus making guest safety the No. 1 priority that weekend.

What is the best part or the most fun for you when managing the event?

The best part of managing this event is getting to see all those smiling faces! There is nothing more rewarding than sitting in the crowd on Saturday night during the fireworks and being able to enjoy the last moments of the event with everyone.

I would also say the best part of this event is working with my committee and our community partners. I would like to personally thank my entire Balloon Classic committee, our balloon pilots and crew, Kent State University at Stark, Stark State College and Jackson Township for their continued support of this unique event. Without these people, this event would not be possible.

Editor's note: Five questions with ... is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you'd like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: 5 questions with Megan Stangelo, who brings Balloon Classic to life