Stark summer event guide: Zac Brown, Canton Music Fest, Stark Pride, Monster Fest, Kidz Bop
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Spring and summertime will be abundant with fun, cool and even quirky events and festivals in the Canton area.
Want traditional? No problem − there's the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, including the balloon launch, parade and Hall of Fame Game, which features the home state Cleveland Browns facing the New York Jets. Want an A-list concert spectacle? Check off that box with the Concert for Legends featuring the Zac Brown Band.
Looking for a classic rock hit machine spanning the decades, the Stark County Fair has you covered with Styx.
And bid farewell to the Canton Blues Fest. The longtime event is no more. But new to the scene will be the Canton Music Fest, a free two-day event featuring more than a dozen bands and musical artists from Canton and Northeast Ohio.
If small town festivals are more to your liking, check out events in Waco, Louisville and Minerva. Newer events also will return, including the African-American Arts Festival and the Stark Pride Festival, both at Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton.
For those wanting to step outside the mainstream, this summer marks the first Monster Fest at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Canton featuring researchers, investigators, filmmakers and podcasters who probe Bigfoot and other mythical creatures, as well as the paranormal and unexplained.
Foodies also can flock to a Greek-themed event for classic cuisine.
Georgia Paxos, executive director of Canton Palace Theatre, said Stark County will be bustling with a plethora of summertime activities.
"The sheer variety of summer events in our community is a testament as to how vibrant Stark County is," said Paxos, who will help out with Canton Greek Fest at St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church in June. "There is something for everyone … lots of cultural events ... (and) indoor and outdoor movies all summer, such as the Canton Palace Theatre’s Anime Fest, Kids, Sensory and Centennial Plaza (movie series), music events at Tom Benson Stadium and at all the township amphitheaters, (and) Pride Fest in downtown.
"The list goes on and on," she added. "For sure no one will be saying, 'There is nothing to do this summer.'"
Check out the list below for details on events big and small in the Canton area:
Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival
Canton's hallmark event takes center stage Aug. 3-6 with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.
This year's Hall of Fame Game at 8 p.m. Aug. 3 showcases the Cleveland Browns for the first time since 1999. The game sold out in just over 30 minutes, but you can get on a single ticket wait list.
Other core events include the Fashion Show at 11 a.m. Aug. 4 at Canton Memorial Civic Center; Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at 5 p.m. Aug. 4 at the civic center; The Canton Repository Grand Parade at 8 a.m. Aug. 5 starting on Cleveland Avenue in downtown Canton; the 2023 Enshrinement Ceremony at noon Aug. 5 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium; and the Enshrinees' Roundtable at noon Aug. 6 at the civic center.
Events preceding the festival week are the Community Parade presented by AultCare at 2:30 p.m. July 23 in downtown Canton; the Up, Up & Away 5K starting at 8 a.m. July 29 at the Kent State University at Stark campus; and the Balloon Classic presented by Aultman July 28-30. Balloons launch in the campus areas of Stark State College and Kent State in Jackson Township.
Play Football First Play presented by Panini starts at 10 a.m. Aug. 2. Thousands of children will form a human chain and pass or hand off a football on a three-mile route from downtown Canton to the steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
For more details on festival events, go to https://www.profootballhoffestival.com/events. For ticket information, visit https://www.profootballhoffestival.com/tickets.
Concert for Legends
The Zac Brown Band is headlining this year's Concert for Legends at 8 p.m. Aug. 5.
Breaking out big in the country music scene in 2008, the group's debut album shines with ear-friendly songs that sound just as fresh and catchy as when they were released, including "Toes," "Chicken Fried" and the sentimental gem, "Highway 20 Ride." Other hit songs include the 2010 release, "As She's Walking Away."
The 2021 album "The Comeback" features the hard rocking "Out In The Middle" and the summery vibe of "Same Boat."
Tickets are available at https://www.hofvillage.com/p/play/cfl-zbb.
More: Journey and Donnie Iris electrify stadium crowd with rousing HOF Fest show
Stark Pride Festival
Last summer's inaugural Stark Pride Festival celebrated equality, diversity, love and acceptance with music, drag queens, food, vendors and other fun.
The event returns 2 to 10 p.m. June 10 in downtown Canton at Centennial Plaza and the surrounding areas on Market Avenue and Third and Fourth streets.
Stark Pride will be even bigger, with two entertainment stages instead of one (Centennial Plaza and the Kempthorn Stage on Fourth Street NW).
More: Canton mayor kicks off inaugural Stark Pride Festival: 'Baby, you were born this way!'
Also new will be a Pride Walk before the festival, featuring members of the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps. Stark Pride also includes children's activities, artisans, businesses and community organization booths, with "full representations of the broad and diverse facets of the LGBTQ+ community," said T.J. Horwood, one of the festival planners.
A headlining music act is expected to be announced in May.
African-American Arts Festival
EN-RICH-MENT Fine Arts Academy is presenting the annual African-American Arts Festival on July 21-22 at Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton.
The festival features music, dancing, artwork, vendors, food, community groups and entertainment. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days.
Performers on July 21 include The Black Beanz, Elec Simon, Goree Drum and Dance, and Chicago Apostolic Church of God Mime, as well as the EN-RICH-MENT Drumline.
Entertainment on July 22 features Carlos Jones +, Umojah Nation and DJ Lolo, as well as For Keeps and DJ Krooze.
The 5K Run & Walk starts at 9 a.m. July 22 at the corner of Market Avenue N and Fifth Street NW. For more information on the 5K event and to register, visit https://runsignup.com/enrichment5k.
Canton Music Festival
Get ready to rock and groove and dance in downtown Canton on Sept. 7 and 8.
Brand new to the local summer circuit is the Canton Music Festival, which replaces the long-running Canton Blues Fest, a Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce event.
The Canton Music Festival, organized by the Downtown Canton Partnership, will feature a main stage at Centennial Plaza and a second stage downtown. The event is 2 to 10:30 p.m. Sept. 7 and noon to 10:30 p.m. Sept. 8. Admission is free.
Todd Herberghs, of the Downtown Canton Partnership, said there will be a mix of musical styles featuring 16 local and regional performers.
More details, including the musical acts, will be announced later.
Monster Fest
Bigfoot, ghosts, winged beasts and UFOs will be the theme of Monster Fest on June 3.
Seth Breedlove, of the Massillon-based Small Town Monsters production company, is bringing a convention of the strange and bizarre to the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in downtown Canton.
On June 2, Breedlove will premiere his newest production, "On the Trail of Bigfoot: Land of the Missing" at the Canton Palace Theatre. The film starts at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $7.
Presale tickets for Monster Fest, $20.50, are available at https://www.smalltownmonsters.com/stmmonsterfest. Tickets at the door will be $25; and kids 12 years old and younger will be admitted free.
Jackson Amphitheater
The Nash Family Jackson Amphitheater has become a jewel in the outdoor music scene in Stark County.
Last year, the 3,500-person capacity venue hosted a slew of talented tribute bands, as well as local and regional musical performers.
The amphitheater's first concert this season will be Eric Brooke's Tribute to Michael Stanley at 6:30 p.m. on May 25. Admission is free.
Presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, this year's Summer Concert Series is just as stellar, including Eagles tribute band Hotel California on June 2; Elton John tribute band Elton Rohn on June 10; the Michael Jackson tribute band Who's Bad on June 17; Aerosmith tribute band Toys in the Attic on July 1; Journey tribute band E5C4P3 on July 7; Kiss tribute band Mr. Speed on July 15; Bon Jovi tribute band Living on a Bad Name on July 21; Fleetwood Mac tribute band Fleetwood Macked on Aug. 12; Queen tribute band Queen Flash on Aug. 26; and Led Zeppelin tribute band ZOSO on Sept 2.
For all tribute band concerts, gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the shows start at 7:30 and end 9:30 to 10 p.m. Jackson Amphitheater is at 7454 Community Parkway NW, across from Jackson High School. Parking is free. Food and concessions are available at all concerts.
Tickets, $10 for general admission and $20 for VIP front stage, are available at https://www.jacksonamphitheater.com/.
More: Jackson Amphitheater marks one year and thrives with '70s and '80s tribute bands
Massillon Museum Rhythms Concert Series
Blues rock musician and Massillon native Patrick Sweany will perform at 7:30 p.m. May 18 in Gessner Hall at Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, as part of the Rhythms Concert Series.
Tickets, $15 for general admission and $12 for museum members, are available online at https://www.eventbrite.com by searching for events at the Massillon Museum.
On June 15, Massillon Museum will host a concert featuring The HiFis and The Bizarros, two popular bands from Akron's early punk rock scene, as well as Canton area singer-songwriter Anya Van Rose and her trio.
Tickets, $12 for the general public and $10 for museum members, are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/ and by phone at 330-833-4061.
Kidz Bop at Tom Benson Stadium
Kidz Bop will be in concert July 25 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Since launching in 2001, Kidz Bop has sold more than 23 million albums and generated over eight billion streams globally.
The nationally touring children's singing group will perform current and popular songs being streamed and played on radio. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.hofvillage.com/.
Country Fest
The Country Fest, set for June 14-17 at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park in Lawrence Township, features headliners Riley Green, Kane Brown, Jon Pardi and Sam Hunt.
Other performers include Ernest, Chase Rice, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, Lauren Alaina, Corey Kent and Randy Houser.
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.thecountryfest.com/schedule.
Alive Music Festival
Alive Musical Festival, set for July 13-15 at Atwood Lake State Park, features Lecrae, Zach Williams, Mac Powell, NEEDTOBREATHE, TAYA, Lauren Daigle, Crowder, Blessing Offor and other performers.
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.alive.org/.
Brick Street Art & Jazz Festival
The Brick Street Art & Jazz Festival is May 13 on North Market Street in downtown Minerva.
Admission is free to the event, which includes artist demonstrations, arts and crafts and food trucks, as well as a drum circle at 1 and 4 p.m.
Performances will include the Carrollton High School Jazz Band at 10:45 a.m. and the Minerva High School Jazz Band at 11:30 a.m. The Alliance Symphony Big Band plays at 5:30 p.m.
Divine Mercy Parish, St. Barbara Campus Festival
The Divine Mercy Parish, St. Barbara Campus 2023 Festival will be May 18-21.
Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. May 18; 5 to 11 p.m. May 19; 1 to 11 p.m. May 20; and 1 to 8 p.m. May 21. The event is at St. Barbara, 2813 Lincoln Way W.
Entertainment will feature Billy Likes Soda 7 to 10 p.m. May 18; LaFlavour 7 to 10 p.m. May 19; New Wave Nation 7 to 10 p.m. May 20; and Disco Inferno 2 to 5 p.m. May 21.
Waco Homecoming Festival
The Waco Homecoming Festival is 5 to 10 p.m. May 11; 5 to 11 p.m. May 12; and noon to 11 p.m. May 13.
The event features carnival rides, games and live music, including Toni Rio & Relentless at 8 p.m. on May 12 and New Wave Nation at 8 p.m. May 13. Classic rock cover band Elliot Twist performs at 8 p.m. May 11.
The Waco Homecoming Parade is at noon May 13.
Canton Greek Fest
Canton Greek Fest at St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church will be at 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 8-10 at 251 25th St. NW.
Authentic Greek food is featured, including baklava sundaes, souvlaki, roasted lamb, gyros and moussaka. For more information, go to https://www.stharalambos.com/events/ or call 330-454-7278.
Stark County Fair featuring Styx and Home Free
The Stark County Fair runs Aug. 29 through Sept. 4.
Styx will bring its catalog of classic rock hit songs to the Stark County Fairgrounds at 8 p.m. Aug. 30.
Also performing will be country music act Home Free at 8 p.m. Aug. 29. The band features five a cappella vocalists.
For tickets and information on other fair events, including tractor and truck pulls and demolition derbies, go to https://starkcountyfair.com/.
Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic weekend
The Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic weekend is Aug. 31 to Sept. 3.
Community events, as well as a headliner gospel concert at Centennial Plaza, will be announced later. For updated information, go to https://www.profootballhof.com/black-college-football-hall-of-fame-classic/.
Sept. 3 includes the Cecilia Ponder Interfaith Service at 9 a.m. at Centennial Plaza, and a football game featuring Morehouse College and Virginia Union University at 4 p.m. at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
Greater Alliance Carnation Festival
Greater Alliance Carnation Festival events are Aug. 3-13.
The Carnation Festival Food Fest will be Aug. 3-5 on Simpson Street at the University of Mount Union. Food fest hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Aug. 3, and noon to 11 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5.
For updates and information about other festival events, go to http://www.carnationfestival.com/.
Yankee Peddler Festival
The 50th Annual Yankee Peddler Festival is Sept. 9-10; 16-17; and 23-24 at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park in Lawrence Township.
Festival hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Spread over 75 acres, the event features pioneer-themed artisans, crafters and vendors.
For more details and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.yankeepeddlerfestival.com/.
Louisville Constitution Day Parade
The Louisville Constitution Day Parade will be Sept. 24. For the event time and updated information, visit https://www.louisvilleconstitutiontown.org/.
North Canton Craft Beer Festival
The North Canton Craft Beer Festival will be 5 to 8 p.m. June 3 at the MAPS Air Museum in Green near the Akron-Canton Airport.
Presented by the North Canton Area Chamber of Commerce, the fourth annual event features craft beer from around 20 brewers in Stark County and Northeast Ohio.
Tickets, $10 to $75, are available at https://northcantonchamber.org/north-canton-craft-beer-festival/.
Summer movies at the Canton Palace
Canon Palace Theatre has an eight-week summer movie series for kids.
Movies are: "Soul," June 19; "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile," June 26; "DC League of Super Pets," July 3; "Hotel Transylvania 4: Transformania," July 10; "The Grinch," July 17; "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish," July 24; "Encanto," July 31; and "Turning Red," Aug. 7.
Admission is $2 and all tickets are sold at the door. For more details, go to https://cantonpalacetheatre.org/.
Summer movies at Centennial Plaza
Movies will be shown outdoors at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays from June 7 to Aug. 9 at Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton.
Movies are "Lightyear," June 7; "Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical," June 14; "The Incredibles," June 21; "The Greatest Showman," June 28; "Minions: The Rise of Gru," July 5; "Grease," July 12; "The Polar Express," July 19; "Pinnochio," July 26; "The Game Plan," Aug. 2; and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," Aug. 9.
Admission is free, and guests should bring their own blankets and chairs. Popcorn and candy will be available for purchase.
North Canton Jaycee Fair
The North Canton Jaycee Fair will be June 12-17 at Dogwood Park on Seventh Street NE. The event includes rides for children, food vendors and live music.
For updated information, go to https://www.facebook.com/northcantonjayceefair/.
Great Trail Festival
The Great Trail Festival in the Malvern area will be Aug. 26-27 and Sept. 2-4.
Celebrating American folk art, and contemporary and country crafting, the French and Indian era festival is on Route 43 between Malvern and Carrollton, roughly one mile south of Malvern on Route 43.
Food, dancing, music, the Ohio tomahawk throwing championship, and historical demonstrations and lectures are also featured.
For event times, tickets and more details, visit https://www.greattrailfestival.com/db/Home.html
Neon Nights
Neon Nights will be Aug. 11-12 at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park in Lawrence Township. Headliners are Travis Tritt at 9: 15 p.m. Aug. 11 and Tim McGraw at 9:15 p.m. Aug. 12.
Also performing Aug. 11 are Tracy Byrd and Rodney Atkins. Wynonna Judd and John Michael Montgomery perform Aug. 12.
For tickets and more information, go to https://www.theneonnights.com/
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com
On Twitter @ebalintREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Styx, Kidz Bop, Zac Brown Band set for Canton, Ohio, summer events
