Entertainment writer Ed Balint offers up suggestions for late summer fun in the Canton area.
1. Malone’s Big Day
Malone University will host the Big Day Christian music festival on Sept. 6, featuring food trucks, inflatables, games and worship bands.
Contemporary Christian musical artists will include Natalie Layne, Joseph O’Brien and headliner Seph Schlueter. Known for the song, “Counting My Blessings,” Schlueter is a 2024 KLOVE Fan Award winner, Dove nominee and Billboard finalist. O’Brien, of Nashville, made it to the quarterfinals of “America’s Got Talent.”
The video for “Counting My Blessings” has garnered 12 million views on YouTube.
Outdoor activities begin at noon on Malone’s campus in Canton, and evening concerts will be in the Johnson Center for Worship and the Fine Arts, 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW.
“We’re excited to bring back Big Day fest at Malone for a second year in a row after hosting a sold out crowd at our inuguaral event,” Eric Young, vice president for enrollment and marketing, said in a prepared statement. “The energy of 1,100 people worshipping together on our campus was electric − an unforgettable night of joy, music and praise to the Lord. We can’t wait to experience that same excitement again this year.”
For more information and to purchase tickets for $26, visit www.bigdayfest.org. Tickets cost $11 for only outdoor events. Malone student tickets also cost $11.
2. ‘Lawyers Do More Than Practice’ art show
Cyrus Custom Framing & Art Gallery plans an exhibition featuring the artwork of 10 Stark County attorneys and judges.
Twenty area artists also will show their art. The opening reception for “Lawyers Do More Than Practice” will be 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 13.
Artwork will be on display through Oct. 3 at Cyrus, 2645 Cleveland Ave. NW.
The exhibition is in conjunction with the Stark County Bar Association’s 125th anniversary celebration. Artwork will include painting, sculpting, woodworking and photography, a news release said.
“Law practioners (will) showcase their creative skills outside of their professions while artists bring the theme of ‘law’ into their practices,” the release said.
3. Cole Swindell in Canton
Award-winning country music artist Cole Swindell will perform on Sept. 5 at the Canton Memorial Civic Center.
The show also features openers Priscilla Block and Logan Crosby.
Swindell played a sold-out show in October 2023 at the Civic Center. The “Happy Hour Sad Tour” is named after a new song on his 2025 album “Spanish Moss.”
Swindell has charted multiple No. 1 songs in the country genre, including, “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” which was the Academy of Country Music’s Single and Song of the Year in 2023.
Others popular songs include “Chillin ‘It,” “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey,” “You Should Be Here,” “Drinkaby,” “Love You Too Late,” “Never Say Never,” featuring Lainey Wilson, and “Single Saturday Night.”
Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.
4. Historic Ridgewood Artists’s Showcase
Canton’s Historic Ridgewood neighborhood will host its annual Artist’s Showcase & Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 6.
Known for its charming brick streets and unique architecture, Historic Ridgewood is also home to artists, authors, artisans and entertainers, a news release said.
The event is free and open to the public, with more than 30 resident artists and five musical artists performing. Original artwork and artisan wares will be for sale throughout the neighborhood.
“The Historic Ridgewood Artist Showcase is set to once again fill the neighborhood streets with art, music and community spirit,” Robin Gonzalez, Historic Ridgewood’s showcase committee chairwoman, said in a news release. “This year, we’re delighted to welcome several new artists alongside many returning favorites, each bringing their own distinctive style and creative energy.”
Printed maps will be available at the welcome tent at the entrance of Historic Ridgewood at 21st Street NW and Market Avenue N.
5. Canton First Friday
“Art in the Streets” will be the theme of the Sept. 5 First Friday in downtown Canton.
Festivities run from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Artists will be creating work throughout downtown.
New Wave Nation, an ’80s-era tribute band, will perform at Centennial Plaza. An inflatables area for children will be next to the Eric Snow YMCA, 420 Third St. NW.
A food truck court will be in the parking lot of the Eric Snow YMCA. First Friday vendors also will be featured downtown.
6. Comedian Jeff Allen in Hartville
Comedian Jeff Allen will be cracking jokes on the stage of the Hartville Kitchen at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5.
To purchase tickets, $55 to $65, go to hartvillekitchen.com or call 330-877-9353. Hartville Kitchen is at 1015 Edison St.
Known for clean and hilarious comedy, Allen has been featured on Netflix, Dry Bar Comedy, “America’s Got Talent,” “Apostles of Comedy” and other networks and shows.
“Jeff’s comedy drives home the humor in everyday family life and the joy derived from a healthy marriage,” the comedian’s website says.
7. Pink Floyd tribute at Jackson Amphitheater
The Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd tribute band will perform on Sept. 6 at the Nash Family Jackson Amphitheater.
This is the last concert in the summer series for 2025.
Gates open at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 8:30 p.m. Parking is free. The venue is at 7454 Community Parkway NW across from Jackson High School.
General admission tickets cost $12.51 and front stage tickets $23.18. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com and through https://www.jacksonamphitheater.com.
8. Main Street Modern Vintage Pop-Up Market
Main Street Modern will host a Vintage Pop-Up Market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 6 at 618 Mulberry Road SE in Canton.
Vintage clothing, furniture, art and home decor will be for sale. The event will be outside the Main Street Modern warehouse. Vendors and some local artists will be selling their goods. Attendees should park along Mulberry Road.
Admission is free.
Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com. On Instagram at ed_balint.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Things to do: Malone’s Big Day, Cole Swindell, First Friday, Ridgewood art, vintage market
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
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