CANTON − Addelyn Greenwood got her face painted, munched on cotton candy and made room for popcorn at Deaf-A-Palooza.
The event was more than just another summertime outing for the 5-year-old girl and her mother, Megan Greenwood of New Philadelphia. Addelyn has cochlear implants in both ears.
Attending Deaf-A-Palooza on June 19 at Hall of Fame Village in Canton, the mother said her daughter would be deaf without the implants.
Addelyn was an example of children and adults who delighted in a fully accessible festival featuring vendors, exhibitors, guest speakers, social media influencers and a cornhole tournament on the field at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Deaf vendors were selling such items as plants, clothing, football-themed pillows, artwork and bracelets.
“For me and my husband, this means a lot to our family that (Addelyn) can come here and see kids who are just like her, and adults who are just like her,” Megan Greenwood said. “And they can support her and help her grow and give her resources as she gets older, and then she can pass resources on to other kids in the community.”
“Just having things where she feels like everyone else, and it doesn’t make her feel that she’s different and she can’t do these things,” the mother said of Deaf-A-Palooza, which continues 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 20 at Hall of Fame Village.
Organizers encourage both the deaf community and general public to attend the free event. Ticketed entertainment is scheduled 7 to 10 p.m. June 20 at Zimmermann Symphony Center at McKinley High School next to Hall of Fame Village.
More details about the night performances and tickets can be found online and at facebook.com/TriadDeafServicesInc.
Deaf-A-Palooza is being presented by TRIAD Deaf Services in Canton.
Supporting the parents of deaf children
The event brings together the deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, American Sign Language users, interpreters, allies and the broader community.
Deaf-A-Palooza is also part of TRIAD’s efforts to support both deaf children and their parents and prevent language deprivation.
Proceeds from the event will support TRIAD Deaf Services and the launch of Deaf Stork, which expands early language access for deaf children.
Deaf police officer tells story of perseverance
Guest speakers included Carl DeForest, a deaf police officer in Ohio.
Addressing an audience in the concourse at Hall of Fame Village through sign language and an interpreter, DeForest told his story of perseverance and answered questions.
Growing up, he found guidance and inspiration from his late deaf grandfather. As a kid, he also was inspired when a police officer visited school.
“As a young child, I wanted to imagine I could be the first deaf at something,” DeForest said.
DeForest completed the Cleveland Heights Police Academy in 2023. In 2025, he became an officer with the Highland Hills Police Department in the Cleveland area.
“I applied for 200 jobs when I got turned down for all,” he said.
DeForest explained how he overcomes communication challenges by using texting and asking for a backup officer when necessary. Most times, however, he doesn’t need assistance. And he does everything other officers do on the job, he said, including traffic stops. DeForest also recalled chasing after a suspect on foot.
‘We have full accessibility.’
TRIAD board member Jaime Jaime Sr. of North Canton was pleased with the first day of the event.
Nearly 1,000 people are expected to attend Deaf-A-Palooza, he said. That’s more than the around 300 who attended last year’s festival, which was smaller in scale.
Attendees on June 19 traveled from inside and outside Ohio, including Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Jaime, who is deaf, has been involved with TRIAD since it was founded by the late Jack Hawk in 2012.
Jaime recalled discussing an event like Deaf-A-Palooza with Hawk. The festival is another example of how “deaf people can do anything,” he said.
Jaime said it’s rewarding to see Hawk’s dream realized.
“Finally, we’re seeing the event happen,” he said. “And we have full accessibility.”
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: ‘This means a lot.’ Deaf-A-Palooza in Canton inspires with festival
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ed Balint, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
