CANTON − A large video screen flashed images from Jefferson Starship’s storied career before the venerable classic rock band took the stage to kick off Sugardale Fan Fest during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.
The video presentation spanned the decades, including the ’70s and ’80s. But the age of the group wasn’t evident as band members ripped into one of their biggest hits, “Find Your Way back” to open the free concert on Aug. 5 at Stadium Park.
While the age of fans certainly skewed older, Connor Welch, 19, of Carrollton, wore a T-shirt emblazoned with “Jefferson Starship” in gold lettering. And he was all smiles, clapping and raising his arms in celebration as the band reeled off popular and recognizable songs like “Winds of Change,” as well as some deeper cuts.
“The reason I love Jefferson Starship is … they just have such good electrical presence,” Welch enthused during the show. “They’re pumping up the crowd. It’s a great time. I’m loving it.”
Admission is free to Fan Fest, which runs noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 6; noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 7-8; and noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 9. Fan Fest takes place in the main parking lot of Stadium Park along Fulton Road near Stadium Park Drive, about 200 yards below the Pro Football Hall of Fame museum.
More free shows are to come at Fan Fest: Collin Raye performs at 6 p.m. Aug. 8, followed by Phil Vassar at 7:30 p.m. the same day.
Also performing free shows at Fan Fest will be Youngstown area-based indie rock band The Vindys at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 and country music artist JT Hodges at 4:45 p.m. Aug. 8. Western swing and vintage country band The Shootouts, featuring vocalist Ryan Humbert of Stark County, will perform at 4:30 Aug. 9.
Jefferson Starship got the concert schedule off to a rousing start.
Betty Good, 67, of Massillon, snagged a front row seat early.
She was joined by her daughter, Courtney Good, 33, of Massillon, and her three daughters, ages 8, 10 and 12.
“It’s awesome,” Betty Good said prior to the concert. “For one, it’s free. You don’t get too many free things these days. And there’s nothing like this music today that I grew up with.”
Reach Ed at ed.balint@cantonrep.com and Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Jefferson Starship cranks out the classic rock at HOF Fan Fest
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ed Balint, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
