CANTON − The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival draws thousands of football fans from across the country for a slew of big events.
The Hall of Fame Game, Grand Parade, Gold Jacket Dinner, Enshrinement Ceremony and Concert for Legends among them.
But Jim Porter, CEO of the Hall of Fame, said he wants to attract more residents from Stark County and region to the festival. And one way to heighten engagement is through the new Fan Fest from July 31 to Aug. 3 on the campus of the Hall of Fame.
Fan Fest will feature food, live music, beer and hard seltzers, games, football-themed activities, and free photo opportunities with Hall of Fame inductees. And the ultimate in colorfully dressed diehard football fans will be hanging out and providing more photo ops.
Nationally known podcasters will record shows at Fan Fest. Hall of Fame inductees will be stationed across the campus for special appearances, surprise interactions and live Q&As. Free Pro Football Hall of Fame gifts also will be available in limited supply.
Described as the “ultimate tailgate party,” Fan Fest is free, and so are a limited number of parking spaces on campus controlled by the Pro Football Hall of Fame (other parking areas are controlled by the Hall of Fame Village). Free SARTA bus shuttles will be available July 31, Aug. 2 and Aug. 3 at the Stark County Fairgrounds, 305 Wertz Ave. NW. Free bottled water also will be available.
Food vendors aren’t being charged a fee for Fan Fest, Porter said. That’s intended to lower the cost of food being sold and served, he said.
‘Football’s greatest weekend’
Residents may assume the Hall of Fame doesn’t need any help attracting festivalgoers from Stark County and Northeast Ohio.
After all, the NFL is the king of American sports, dominating television ratings. The NFL draft in Green Bay this year drew hundreds of thousands of people on-site. Fans hotly anticipate the regular season schedule release. And the Super Bowl is a global sensation.
But Porter said he believes many local folks don’t partake in festival events. Maybe it’s the ticket prices. Maybe it’s the parking. Maybe it’s the crowds. Maybe they’ve forgotten how special festival week is in Stark County.
Fan Fest was specifically created with those people in mind.
“I feel like the community has gotten a little away from the enshrinement weekend,” Porter said, referring to the festival as “Football’s Greatest Weekend.”
“For this event to be successful, it has to be exactly that,” he added. “It has to be an event.”
Fan Fest will coincide with the Hall of Fame Game, Gold Jacket Dinner, Enshrinement Ceremony and the Concert for Legends. Themes include “Game Day” on July 31; “Community Day” on Aug. 1; “Jerzee’s Saturday” on Aug. 2; and “Battle of the Bands” on Aug. 3.
Live music will feature Larry Lee and Back In The Day Band from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. July 31; Bad Juju from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 2; and Follow the Sun from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 3.
DJ Billy Manos will provide music from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 1.
Food trucks and vendors include Fat Freddie’s BBQ, Jimmi Jukes Wood Fired Pizza, Johnny Lote’s Latin Street Corn, Destefano’s Concessions, Almost Heaven Ice Cream, Bobbie’s Kitchen, Milk and Honey, Burrata Italian Kitchen and Casey’s Concessions.
‘The chance to see Hall of Famers up close.’
Fan Fest is an exciting addition, said Vi Leggett, general chair of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival group that partners with the Pro Football Hall of Fame to plan and stage events.
“What has been created is a brand-new, family-friendly event that brings the energy of ‘Football’s Greatest Weekend’ to life with fun for all ages,” said Leggett, who leads the volunteers assisting with the festival. “From interactive games to football-themed activities, there’s something for everyone.
“But the true highlight? The chance to see hall of famers up close and in person. It’s a celebration of football, community and unforgettable moments. I invite everyone to come out and be part of the excitement.”
While autograph sessions are not part of Fan Fest, the Hall of Fame will give out several thousand postcards signed by Hall members, Porter said. Football-themed necklaces also will be available for free.
Activities also will take place on the miniature football field next to the Hall of Fame. Sponsors will have football-related booths, including Haggar and Panini trading cards.
Events will be spread across the Hall of Fame grounds.
“We want everybody to have a great experience,” Porter said.
‘We need more local people … on our campus.’
A fraction of those who play in the NFL are inducted into the Hall of Fame.
This year’s class — Sterling Sharpe, Eric Allen, Antonio Gates and Jared Allen — will bring the bronze bust brethren to a total of 382.
“I don’t know if the people really understand how big of a deal it is,” Porter said.
Of the enshrinement ceremony, which has been shortened to two hours, he added: “It’s history in the making when you attend something like that.”
Fan Fest is open to all − Canton, Kent, Akron and beyond
Fan Fest is an opportunity to get re-engaged with the Enshrinement Festival, Porter said.
“We need more local people to get involved on our campus,” he said.
Promoting the Fan Fest and festival week to the region is a priority. Thousands of signs have been printed and posted at both Stark County businesses and those outside the area, including Akron, Kent, Cuyahoga Valley and Tuscarawas County.
Festival-related lamppost banners also are being put up in Stark County communities such as Minerva, Louisville and Jackson Township.
“The Pro Football Hall of Fame belongs to Northeast Ohio,” Porter said. “We need the entire region to support (the festival).”
If you go
What: Fan Fest
Where: Pro Football Hall of Fame campus, 2121 George Halas Drive NW
When: Noon to 8 p.m. July 31; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug 1; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 2; and noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 3.
What: Food, live music, games, football-themed activities, drinks, and free photo opportunities with Hall of Fame inductees. Free Pro Football Hall of Fame gifts will be available in limited supply.
Admission: Free
Parking: Limited free spaces will be available on the Pro Football Hall of Fame campus. A free SARTA bus shuttle will be available July 31, and Aug. 2 and 3.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Pro Football Hall of Fame wants more engagement from Northeast Ohio. So, Fan Fest was born
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
