Canton

Stark County is packed with good times, whether you want to explore the game of football, enjoy a movie under the stars or take a local food tour. By Vince Guerrieri

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DESTINATIONS LISTED UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

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PRO TIP

Check off your summer bucket list in America’s Playing Field! Whether it’s a couple’s trip, weekend with friends, or quality time with family, find the perfect way to play in Stark County. Don’t miss the line-up of festivals, live music, and legendary sports events this summer.

1) 720 “BAR B*Q MKT”

A sweet + spicy experience returns to North Canton City Square August 13, 2022; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Enjoy foodie and BBQ themed vendors, Traeger Grill demos, food trucks, craft beer and more! All creatively curated by 720 Market inside North Canton’s Main Street Festival. Celebrate your love for all things summer and barbecue! EventsBy720.com

2) Spring Hill Historic Home

Take a step back in time at Spring Hill Historic Home in Massillon, a documented site on the Underground Railroad where the Rotch-Wales families aided freedom seekers on their journey northward. Walk-in house tours are offered on summer weekends, 1-4 p.m. or group reservations can be made by contacting info@springhillhistorichome.org or (330) 833-6749.

SpringHillHistoricHome.org 3) Belden Village Mall

Belden Village Mall, the premier shopping destination located in the hub of Eastern Ohio, boasts over 120 specialty shops and restaurants. Conveniently located off I-77, the center is just minutes away from the nationally known Canton Pro Football Hall of Fame and Akron-Canton Airport. BeldenVillageMall.com

4) Cherry Road Winery

“Enjoying life… one sip at a time.” Cherry Road Winery features award winning wines, dry to sweet. Relax on the beautiful outdoor patio, with live music both Friday and Saturday nights in July and August. We are family and dog friendly with plenty of room to spread out. Order a cheese tray from the winery or bring your own food from one of Massillon’s fine restaurants. CherryRoadWinery.com

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5) Canton Museum of Art

Visit the CMA now through July 24th for featured Summer exhibit, “Witness to Wartime: The Painted Diary of Takuichi Fujii.” CMA’s Fall exhibitions, including featured exhibit “Unseen: The Process and Art of American Printmaking,” will open to the public on Tuesday, August 23rd. CantonArt.org

6) Experience Hartville

A trip to Hartville is something the entire family can enjoy! Centrally located between Cleveland and Amish Country, Experience Hartville offers more than 15 acres of indoor and outdoor flea market shopping, a celebrated restaurant featuring classic homestyle cooking and baked goods, and America’s largest hardware store. Regardless of your style, budget, and interests, it’s worth the trip! ExperienceHartville.com

7) Mother Angelica Museum

Explore the incredible story of a woman who Time Magazine named the “Most Influential Catholic Woman in the United States.” Born Rita Rizzo, the future Mother Angelica grew up in a Canton neighborhood ruled by the Italian Black Hand during the Roaring Twenties. Don’t miss this amazing story.

MotherAngelicaMuseum.com

8) The Piazza at Gervasi Vineyard

The Piazza, Gervasi Vineyard’s seasonal outdoor dining venue offers lunch and dinner with stunning views of Gervasi’s spring-fed lake. Guests will enjoy dining on the expanded patio or are welcome to bring a blanket and enjoy their meal on the lawn with a bottle of wine or pitcher of Gervasi’s Piazza Sangria.

GervasiVineyard.com 9) The Fantasy Football Expo

Join us the weekend of August 12–14, 2022, for the Fantasy Football Expo Weekend! The weekend is filled with everything you would expect when a bunch of fantasy football enthusiasts get together! Parties, fantasy drafts, Pro Football Hall of Fame, and a ton of fantasy football information sharing and networking with all of your top experts in the industry.

TheFantasyFootballExpo.com

10) Massillon Museum

Visit the Massillon Museum to see a dynamic Paul Brown timeline and sports exhibitions, view everchanging art and history galleries, admire a 3-ton steam engine and the 100-square-foot miniature hand-carved Immel Circus surrounded by circus artifacts, enjoy Greatness Cafe, and browse in a unique shop. A visit is free and comfortably accessible. MassillonMuseum.org

Canton, Ohio

www.McKinleyMuseum.org

The Pro Football Hall of Fame delves deep into the story of the game, while weaving in stateof-the-art technology (above). Tours of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium are available (below).

FOOTBALL & FUN

To devotees of the game, visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a little like visiting Walt Disney World. Communing with the greats at Canton’s famous attraction is a bucket-list trip for young and old fans alike, and just like Disney’s famous theme parks, change is a constant here — not only within the Hall of Fame but also on the property surrounding it.

“Walt Disney said Disneyland will never be done, and we’re like that too,” says Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “We have to keep changing. The ultimate goal is to be the best sports museum in the world.”

The most recent expansion project at the museum itself — a two-year, $27 million project that added 33,000 square feet of space and renovated another 37,000 square feet — concluded in 2013.

Since then, the big changes around the Hall of Fame have come in the form of the Hall of Fame Village, a multimillion-dollar complex run separately by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co., but complementary to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The renovated Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium was dedicated in 2017 following a two-year renovation, replacing Fawcett Stadium, which had stood on the site since 1938. (For an additional fee, fans can take a 90-minute walking tour of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium during their visit.)

More recent additions to the Hall of Fame Village project include the Constellation Center for Excellence, a 75,000-squarefoot mixed-use space that opened in fall 2020. Behind it will be Play-Action Plaza, a 3.5-acre space featuring a walking trail and an amphitheater that is expected to be completed by late summer. Attractions here will also include a zip line and the 125-foot-tall Ferris wheel that was formerly at the I-X Center in Cleveland.

Also in the works is a Fan Engagement Zone, featuring a variety of shops and restaurants with a football twist. It will be

The Big Week

The celebration surrounding a new class of legends taking their rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame draws fans from near and far to enjoy a full lineup of events. From a matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars to a stadium concert from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Journey, here is how you can be part of Enshrinement Week powered by Johnson Controls.

TUES., AUG. 2

6 p.m.

WED., AUG. 3

10 a.m.

THUR., AUG. 4

Noon

1 p.m.

8 p.m.

FRI., AUG. 5

10:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

Noon

6 p.m.

SAT., AUG. 6

8 a.m.

10 a.m.

Noon

3:30 p.m.

8 p.m.

SUN., AUG. 7

Noon Play Football Skills Camp

Play Football First Play Presented by Panini

HOF Fun Fest & Beer Fest

Class of 2022 Autograph Session Presented by Panini

Hall of Fame Game: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Hall of Famer Photo Op

Fashion Show Luncheon

HOF Fun Fest & Beer Fest

Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner

The Canton Repository Grand Parade

HOF Fun Fest & Beer Fest

Class of 2022 Enshrinement Ceremony: Tony Boselli, Cliff Branch, LeRoy Butler, Art McNally, Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, Dick Vermeil and Bryant Young

Returning Hall of Famers Autograph Session Presented by Panini

Concert for Legends: Journey

Enshrinees’ Roundtable

For more information about Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week events, visit profootballhof.com/enshrinement.

home to Shula’s Steakhouse, whose namesake was Don Shula, the northeast Ohio native who became the winningest coach in NFL history. There will also be a Smoosh Cookies owned by Isaac Bruce, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020. Even the Build-a-Bear Workshop planned in the Hall of Fame Village will offer unique NFL and college jerseys.

Additionally, the sports complex on the grounds is being expanded — in no small part because of demand. Currently, there are four active fields, half of what is expected at completion. Additionally, a 100,000-square-foot dome is being built for all-weather sports use. The Fan Engagement Zone and sports dome will be completed by late summer.

The final projects will be a Hilton hotel on the campus — to complement the DoubleTree by Hilton Canton Downtown, previously known as the McKinley Grand, which was bought, restored and reopened in November 2020 — and an indoor water park. Those are scheduled for 2023.

All of it adds up to an experience unlike anything football fans have seen in Canton.

“We’re the biggest cheerleaders for the village,” Porter says, “because it’s good for us.”

This rendering of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village shows what the project will look like upon completion. The development will include shops, sporting fields and spaces to gather.

DINING & DISCOVERY

Barbara Abbott launched Canton Food Tours in 2012, after attending a similar experience in Arizona. Food tours were a new concept at the time, but it proved a success, with Abbott’s culinary tour of Canton now celebrating a decade of local food paired with a side of history. The goal then, as now, Abbott explains, is to highlight the city’s food, drink, culture and history.

“We want to take a close look at things people walk or drive by routinely,” she says.

Celebrate Life!

at Gervasi Vineyard

DINE STAY PLAY

Experience a unique Tuscan-inspired winery resort featuring tastings and pairings, boutique shopping, 48 luxury suites, a coffeehouse/cocktail lounge, and exceptional cuisine at three distinct restaurants. Open 7 days a week CANTON, OH • GERVASIVINEYARD.COM •

Hardware | Gift Shop Restaurant | Flea Market

Hartville

THE BEST EXCURSIONS ARE MEASURED IN MEMORIES

Hartville is the perfect place for all ages and interests! Centrally located between Cleveland and Amish Country, Hartville offers more than 15-1/2 acres of indoor and outdoor flea market shopping, a celebrated restaurant featuring classic homestyle cooking and baked goods, America's largest independent hardware store, and so much more. Learn more at ExperienceHartville.com/ohiomag.

SPEND THE DAY WITH US homestyle meals, desserts, sides, and salad With so many unique, well-made, and dressings, as well as locally-sourced treats, sought-after products available at our vintage candies, quality oil & vinegar, and so 200-acre Experience Hartville campus, much more. you can make a day (or two) of shopping, exploring and dining. Hartville Hardware is America’s largest independently owned hardware store! Tour Start your day by exploring more than 60 the popular Idea House or pick up a toy or individually owned shops, up to 800 treat for your beloved pet in the Farm & Pet outdoor vendors, and locally grown area. Looking for a great deal on tools, produce and plants at Hartville smoking hot grills, or the perfect seasonal MarketPlace & Flea Market, also part of decor? You've come to the right place. the NEW Hartville Antique & Thrift Trail.

Next up on your Hartville adventure is a stop at the Hartville Kitchen Restaurant, Bakery & Shops to refresh and renew for your afternoon. Famous for from-scratch Regardless of your style, budget, and interests, it's worth the trip! Plan your Hartville trip today!

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR SAVINGS!

The walking tour is available during the afternoon or evening. Each offers a three- to four-hour experience enjoying chef-selected entrees presented as small plates at a mix of downtown spots that show off the city’s culinary fare.

The tour also partners with local attractions, such as art galleries and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, to weave Canton culture into the excursions. Tours can be conducted as part of a corporate event and can conform to dietary restrictions. (For example, there is a gluten-free tour among the offerings.)

Abbott explains that, in addition to travelers, many locals sign up for her tours so they can experience the city in a new way.

“Even downtown companies will book tours,” she says. “They’re downtown and they can see everything, but we offer a different layer to places they might see every day.”

MOVIES & MUSIC

Opened in 2020 to commemorate the National Football League’s 100th anniversary, Centennial Plaza has become a downtown gathering place for a variety of events, including a movie series presented by the Canton Palace Theatre every Wednesday this summer.

In 2021, a total of six movies were shown on the plaza, which features large LED screens. This year, movies will be shown weekly throughout the summer — rain or shine. The films are all family friendly, and

First Ladies National Historic Site

Start your historic journey today.

First Ladies National Historic Site is located in downtown Canton. Visit the Victorian, ancestral home of First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley, and a home for President William McKinley. Also located at this historical site is the Education and Research Center with changing museum exhibits about the lives and legacies of America’s First Ladies. Engage in National Park Service Ranger programs or watch films shown in the lower-level theater.

Saxton-McKinley House | First Ladies Park Education and Research Center 205 Market Avenue South, Canton OH 44702 (330) 452-0876 | www.nps.gov/fila

Canton Food Tours introduces participants to landmark spots and foodie favorites throughout the city (opposite page). The music series at Jackson Amphitheater in Jackson Township features live performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays (above).

the 7 p.m. showtime is as well. Because the property is part of downtown Canton’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, adults can enjoy a beer or glass of wine while enjoying the show.

“We’re trying to do a variety of films that appeal to families and adults,” says Georgia Paxos, director of the Canton Palace Theatre. “The Princess Bride,” “Jumanji,” Elf” and “Trolls 2” are just a sampling of this summer’s lineup. “We want to get as many people in Centennial Plaza as possible.”

Outside of Canton in nearby Jackson Township, Jackson Amphitheater will host events throughout the summer. For kids, there will be movies and activities, includ-

Here are some of the musical acts scheduled to perform this summer at the Jackson Amphitheater.

July 2, 7:30–10 p.m.

King’s Highway, a tribute to the music of Tom Petty

July 8, 7:30–10:30 p.m.

Night Fever, a tribute to the Bee Gees

July 13, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Wing It Band

July 16, 7:30–10 p.m.

The Prince Project

July 20, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Yankee Bravo

July 23, 7:30–10 p.m.

The Vindys

Aug. 10, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Southern Roots, featuring Chris Wintrip

Aug. 13, 7:30–10 p.m.

Elton Rohn, featuring the music of Elton John

Aug. 20 7:30–10 p.m.

Chris Higbee

Sept. 4, 7:30–10:30 p.m.

ESC4P3, a tribute to the music of Journey

ing visits by Outback Ray and his animal friends. The venue will also host a concert series on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The Wednesday series will include food trucks and a free day of music. The Saturday events will feature bigger acts — largely bands paying tribute to musicians ranging from Tom Petty to Prince and Journey to Elton John — although on July 23, the amphitheater will feature The Vindys, a popular act from nearby Youngstown.

PUZZLES & GAMES

During the past several years, Ohio has seen a marked expansion in escape rooms. The concept is a simple one: A group of people follow clues distributed within a room and work as a group to solve a mystery and “unlock” the room.

Since 2015, Escape Room Downtown has been offering that challenge to locals and visitors alike. Owner Chuck Duplain

The new DoubleTree Canton Downtown

is the perfect choice when visiting the many unique area attractions including the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village, the Hartville Marketplace or Ohio’s Amish Country. Whether you are traveling to Canton for a sporting event, concert or one of the area many annual events, the Doubletree is the premier location.

At a Glance

• 164 luxurious guest rooms • Five Suites • Five Feet to fitness rooms • Full service restaurant and bar — 330 Bar & Grill • 24 hour business center • Indoor pool and fitness area • Center Square Ballroom for up to 600 people

DoubleTree by Hilton Canton Downtown

320 Market Avenue South, Canton, Ohio, 44702 330-471-8000 CantonDowntown.DoubleTreeByHilton.com

says the scenarios are adjusted based on customer feedback and made by drawing on Canton’s past, with games involving Prohibition-era bootlegging and the notorious Black Hand Society.

“You need to have a good story and at least one a-ha moment,” Duplain says, “and we build the game around that.”

Another trend on the rise is boardgame cafes, places that invite you to roll the dice and have fun and interactive nights out as a group. In 2020, Milestone Games opened in downtown’s Canton Arts District.

For a $5 per person cover charge, groups can come in and play any one of 1,200 different board games, running the gamut from various iterations of Trivial Pursuit to classic board games like Monopoly and Life to more complicated role-playing games.

Milestone Games also serves hot dogs (including a veggie version) with gourmet toppings and other comfort-food eats. The spot also has a full bar with 12 rotating drafts and a large selection of canned and bottled beer, hard teas, hard seltzer, ciders and more.

Escape Room Downtown invites groups to solve fun mysteries inspired by the city’s history, such as Prohibition-era bootlegging and the notorious Black Hand Society. (opposite page top and inset)

When You Go

Pro Football Hall of Fame

2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton 44708, 330/456-8207 profootballhof.com

Pro Football Hall of Fame Village

hofvillage.com

Centennial Plaza Summer Movie Series

330 Court Ave. NW, Canton 44702 cantonpalacetheatre.org/ centennial-plaza-movie-series

Jackson Amphitheater Summer Concert Series

7454 Community Pkwy. NW, Massillon 44646 jacksonamphitheater.com

Escape Room Downtown

203 Market Ave. S. #200, Canton 44702 330/844-1492 escaperoomdowntown.com

Milestone Games

312 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton 44702 330/956-4509 milestone.games