Pro Football Hall of Fame Fun Fest brings excitement amid rain
CANTON ― With music blaring and vendors waiting, football fans trickled into the seventh annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Fun Fest when it started at noon Thursday. A mix of sun and clouds overhead quickly changed to rain. But that didn’t stop fans from having fun.
With the Las Vegas Raiders taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Hall of Fame Game following later, many fans donned Raiders and Jaguars jerseys and gear. From the looks of it, there were a lot more Raiders' fans in attendance.
People wore jerseys and shirts representing the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants. One super fan donned a whole Green Bay Packers outfit complete with a cheese head, which he also wore last year to this event.
Families, couples, groups of friends and football fans of all kinds enjoyed everything the Fun Fest had to offer, and many who were there were getting excited for the game.
"I just want to see a good football game," said John Fountain, who donned a Dallas Cowboys jersey.
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Fountain said he’s been coming to Canton for the Hall of Fame festivities since the 1990s with a group of friends who used to work in law enforcement in Maryland. After his retirement, he moved to West Virginia, but he makes the trek here every year to see the game with his friends.
Fountain said he has loved seeing the progress of the Hall over the years and was bummed when he had to miss out on events because of COVID.
Another fan, Dan Kelliher, who regularly attends this event, loves football and is excited for the season to start.
"We have front row tickets in four locations for the game," Kelliher said. He said preseason games don’t really matter, but he was still excited.
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Even the shuttle drivers, who transported buses full of fans to and from the Hall of Fame and the Stark County Fairgrounds, were thrilled.
"It's nice to get out here and see new people. Everyone is enjoying themselves," a SARTA worker, who was directing people where to go, said to the bus driver. "It's a great time."
Seven things happening every day of the Fun Fest
The Fun Fest continues from noon to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Highlights on Friday include performances by the McKinley Senior High School Band, CheerVille Ohio, EN-RICH-MENT and Candy Apples, along with local cover band For Keeps.
Saturday’s highlights include a performance by Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Resident Rocker JamPop with Marcus Smith Music and Jul Big Green and a paid autograph session with returning Hall of Famers.
Here's a look at seven other activities happening every day:
1. Fun Fest stage: The Fun Fest Stage features live entertainment, including performances from bands, a variety of musical artists and community members.
2. Hall of Fame field turf games, vendors and giveaways: Fans are urged to show off their skills with a virtual field goal kicker, the Second Sole 40-yard dash and the Madden Gaming Truck. The Raptor Hallow Sanctuary features live animal displays. The U.S. Marines and U.S. Air Force are offering fitness challenges, while the Black College Football Hall of Fame is offering interactive games and activities.
3. Coors Light beer garden: The beer garden offers Coors Light products for purchase, including the Vizzy Villa.
4. Hall of Fame wine flights: Exclusive wines made by Pro Football Hall of Famers are available for purchase.
5. AVI food court: The AVI food court is offering tailgate-style foods for purchase.
6. Smoosh Cookies: Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce's food truck, Smoosh Cookies, offers tasty treats for purchase.
7. Hall of Fame merchandise tent: Stock up on football merchandise and gifts at the Hall’s merchandise tent.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Pro Football Hall of Fame Fun Fest brings excitement amid rain
