Summer fun guide: Stark Pride, Canton Greek Fest, Bolivar Strawberry Fest, Elton John act

1. Stark Pride Festival

The Stark Pride Festival is 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Plaza.

Headlining this year's event will be MkX, a pop and dance music artist based in Los Angeles. The Vindys also will perform on the main stage at Centennial Plaza, at Market Avenue N and Court Avenue NW.

Featuring electronica and R&B in his music, MkX's stage show will feature "lots of music, visuals, dance technology, all that fun stuff," the multi-instrumentalist said in a video message promoting the Stark Pride Festival.

More: MkX to headline Stark Pride Festival

More: Canton drag queen Kardi Redd Diamond: 'We are superhero beings from another planet.'

The Vindys feature elements of classic rock, jazz and pop. The music video for their song "Bugs" is one of eight to be shown at this year's Tribeca Festival in the shorts category.

Entertainment also includes drag performances, dancing, vendors, community organizations, speakers, other live music, and activities for children. Food and alcohol will be sold.

Opening ceremonies at 2 p.m. will feature the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, the Cleveland Transgender Choir and community leaders.

Musical entertainment on the Centennial Plaza stage will include Mellow Villains (a band from Alliance playing '80s, '90s and 2000s rock) at 3 p.m.; The Scenic Route (pop rock) at 4:30 p.m.; Ethan Soza (rap and hip-hop) at 6 p.m.; The Vindys at 7:30 p.m.; and MkX at 9 p.m.

Entertainers also will perform from 2:45 to 7 p.m. on the Kempthorn Stage at Fourth Street and Dewalt Avenue NW.

2. Canton Greek Fest

St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church will host the Canton Greek Fest on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 251 25th St. NW in Canton.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day.

The event celebrates Greek culture and will include indoor dining (11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day); outdoor dining (4 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday); and drive-thru service (11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day). Menu items include classic Greek dishes and pastries, and the event will feature traditional Greek dancing, a gift shop, live music, DJs, a wine sampling room, church tours, and a playground for children.

Menu items vary by dining option and include chicken and pork souvlaki, gyros, lamb chops, Greek chicken, pastitsio, moussaka and lamb shank.

Entertainment will include a free show at 9:15 p.m. Thursday featuring "Greek Goddess of Comedy" Ellen Karis. Fireworks will be Saturday after dark.

For the complete schedule and more details, go to https://cantongreekfest.com/. The church also can be reached at 330-454-7278.

3. Bolivar Strawberry Festival

The 17th annual Bolivar Strawberry Festival is Thursday, Friday and Saturday in downtown Bolivar on and near Canal Street.

Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. The parade is 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.

The festival features food concessions, a beer tent, arts and crafts, rides and entertainment. Events include a strawberry eating contest, Bolivar Idol, Miss Berry Princess Pageant and Little Miss Shortcake Pageant.

For more information, visit https://villageofbolivar.com/main-street/strawberry-festival/.

4. Elton John tribute

An Elton John tribute group will take the stage Saturday at the Nash Family Jackson Amphitheater.

Elton Rohn starts at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. The concert ends around 10 p.m.

Jackson Amphitheater is at 7454 Community Parkway NW, across from Jackson High School. Parking is free. Food and concessions are available.

Tickets, $10 for general admission and $20 for VIP front stage, are available at https://www.jacksonamphitheater.com/.

5. Massillon Museum art receptions

The Massillon Museum will host two artist receptions from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Both events are free and open to the public. The museum is at 121 Lincoln Way East in downtown Massillon.

Sarah C. Blanchette’s textile and mixed media exhibition, "All Shook Up" will open in Studio M on Saturday and continue through July 23. Blanchette is a photo-based fiber artist who works in the Detroit area, the museum said in a news release.

The Canton Artists League reception will be in the Fred F. Silk Community Room Gallery. "Up to the Challenge" is on display now and will continue through July 30.  Artists in the show include: Peter Castillo, Paul DeGarmo, Sharon Dulabaum, Jeffrey Foltz, Jane Heater, Thomas Kilpatrick, Pam LaRocco, Natividad (Suni) Lopez-Ortiz, Nancy Michel, Michelle Mulligan, Robert Nicoll, Lori Perry, Irene Tobias Rodriguez, Nancy Shernit, Sherry Grace, Yvonne Walter, Lynn Weinstein and Gail Wetherell-Sack.

Exhibitions also can be seen during regular museum hours 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 330-833-4061 or visit massillonmuseum.org.

6. USFL football: Dollar hot dogs and sodas

Hot dogs and sodas will cost $1 each during USFL football games Saturday and Sunday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Saturday's contest features the Pittsburgh Maulers facing the Michigan Panthers at noon. A Maulers bobblehead also will be given out while supplies last.

Sunday's game features the New Jersey Generals against the Philadelphia Stars at 7 p.m. Retro sunglasses will be given out while supplies last.

Tickets start at $10 and are available at https://www.hofvillage.com/.

7. McKinley Kennel Club Dog Show

The McKinley Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Show is Saturday and Sunday at the Stark County Fairgrounds.

Hundreds of dogs and their owners will be competing in the show ring both days at the fairgrounds, 305 Wertz Ave. NW in Canton. Dog shows are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is free. Parking is $5 per day. For more details, go to https://starkcountyfair.com/.

8. Music, games and art in downtown Minerva

Nights on North Market 2nd Friday activities in downtown Minerva will include live music, art, food and games.

Roxy Theatre will host live music 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Music features Dougie and the Shin Splints performing songs from the '60s, '70s and '80s with Luke Schreffler, Patty Summers and Dougie Holm.

Admission is by donation. Concessions will include baked goods, popcorn, soda and candy. Roxy merchandise also will be sold.

The Market Street Art Spot’s reception will be 5 to 9 p.m., featuring the work of Kenneth Kirkland, live music by One String Short and light refreshments. Market Street Art Spot is at 219 N Market St.

West High Street, between North Market and Main streets, will have seating and a variety of outdoor games for all ages, including putt-putt golf, cornhole, giant Jenga and Twister.

Downtown shops and eateries also will be open. The village’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) will be in effect 5 to 10 p.m.

Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com

and on Twitter @ebalintREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Summer fun: Stark Pride, Strawberry Fest, Canton Greek food, dog show