'We are really excited.' Bluecoats drum corps show returns to Stark County as HOF event

CANTON – After outgrowing Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon and heading to Akron in 2019, the Canton Bluecoats will return to Stark County this summer for its annual Innovations in Brass Drum Corps International show.

The DCI competition will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. It will be the last official event of the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.

Mike Scott, Canton Bluecoats chief executive officer, said bringing the show to Tom Benson was always something the organization had talked about, but it was never possible.

"Back then (when we outgrew Massillon) and had to move to a larger stadium, we talked about Tom Benson, but were told no, it was impossible," Scott said.

Bluecoats:Canton Bluecoats celebrate 50th anniversary

Bluecoats:Canton Bluecoats return home for Tour of Champions show in Akron

A few years later, things have changed.

Scott credited Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, who reached out wanting to bring the DCI show to Tom Benson and make the show part of the Enshrinement Festival events.

"We are really excited about it," Scott said. "We are a Canton organization and anytime we can bring something to Canton it's great. It's our biggest event of the year and one of the country's biggest drum corps shows. And we are going to get to host it in Canton alongside the Enshrinement."

The show features world-class corps, including the Bluecoats, and is the last show before the corps head to the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis.

"For years, many of the top drum corps in America competed in Stark County as part of the final event of the annual Enshrinment Festival," Porter said. "The competition was fierce and it prepared the squads for the world championships that followed. ... The show promises a level of musical skill and movement precision that will thrill the audiences at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium."

The show brings about 8,000 to 10,000 fans to the area and an additional 2,000 drum corps performers, staff and personnel.

Not only does it give football fans coming to Canton to enjoy the Enshrinement Festival another event to attend, but it also gives DCI fans more to do, Scott added.

Fans near and far travel from across Ohio and out of state to see the show and now they can enjoy a day in Canton, visiting the Hall of Fame and the Village, he said.

"They can enjoy the Hall activities, get something to eat, visit Build and Bear and then attend the show," Scott added.

Tickets for the show went on sale Monday. For tickets, visit https://bluecoats.com.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.

On Twitter: @aknappINDE

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Bluecoats bringing drum corps show to Tom Benson as official HOF event