Hall of Fame Week-What It Means For Stark County

The annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival including Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls works in a spirit of cooperation with the Pro Football Hall of Fame to annually produce the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival to celebrate the induction of new Enshrinees, encourage continuing support for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, provide a positive economic impact, and promote the spirit of our community and its people. The Enshrinement Festival has expanded from its original four small events to more than 20 diverse events enjoyed by nearly 700,000 people and produces an economic impact of approximately $43 million for the Canton/Stark County area and $77 million for the State of Ohio. Estimates include direct, indirect, and induced impact and were derived from tourism-related, participant-related, and operational spending. In addition, millions of people experience aspects of the Enshrinement Festival as events are televised and covered by other media. With a record of success for the past 58 years, the Enshrinement Festival is a true celebration of excellence. Many might not realize that the Festival is not only great for the national reputation of Canton as the home of Pro Football Hall of Fame and birthplace of the NFL, but that local economic impact represents spending at restaurants, hotels, retailers, gas stations, etc. that translate to Stark County jobs all year long.

Denny Saunier, President and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce had the following article published in the Canton Repository in case you missed it: 

When we say this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival is the greatest gathering in football, we mean it.

After the disappointment of having to postpone both the 2020 Enshrinement Festival and the NFL Centennial Celebration due to the pandemic, the community is excited to now hold the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival including Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls. And it’s one for the books!   

For the first time in the event’s 58-year history, the festivities will showcase TWO classes of Enshrinees – both the Centennial Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021. That’s 28 football greats being honored this week right here in Canton, marking not just a return to our annual celebration but making it the largest gathering in the history of the Festival.  

The surrounding circumstances make this year’s celebration even more special. Just a few short months ago, statewide restrictions on large events were still in place. While we had multiple scenarios and contingency plans, until late spring we were uncertain how this year’s Festival would take shape. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that adaptability and flexibility are essential.

Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the staffs at the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as our many community partners – from vendors to venue hosts to safety forces – our community will enjoy a FULL Enshrinement Festival featuring 20 events over two weeks. We’re proud that Canton, Ohio, is hosting one of the first national events that spectators from near and far can enjoy!

The health and safety of our guests remain a top priority. We appreciate your support as we work to deliver an outstanding and safe guest experience while honoring Canton’s one-of-a-kind football legacy.  Due to the magnitude of this year’s celebration, and in conjunction with our efforts to safely accommodate our guests, you’ll see a few changes, all in keeping with the spirit of the Festival. 

For instance, on the Hall’s campus, this year there are two Enshrinement Ceremonies – one on Saturday featuring the Class of 2020 and one on Sunday for the Class of 2021. At the Civic Center– the venue for the Fashion Show, Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Ceremony and Enshrinees’ Roundtable events– we’ve replaced plated meals (served indoors) with themed outdoor pre-receptions featuring food and beverage stations. Take, for example, the fan-favorite Enshrinees’ Roundtable event on Sunday afternoon; it will feature a fun, tailgate-themed reception prior to the indoor show. 

Those returning to Canton may notice other exciting community changes, additions, and improvements. The Akron-Canton Airport has opened their state-of-the-art gate expansion wing. Hall of Fame Village has completed additional upgrades to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and is nearing completion on the Constellation Center for Excellence. In downtown Canton, Centennial Plaza and the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton Canton Downtown are open, bustling, and beautiful. Both the brand-new Jackson Amphitheater and Duncan Plaza (Massillon) feature full summer entertainment lineups, including events this week.   

The Enshrinement Festival not only brings economic vitality and national attention to our region, but a sense of pride and joy to our local community. Over the next several days, we have a wide range of diverse events – both free and ticketed - that offer something for all to enjoy. We couldn’t do it without a massive local effort including our professional staffs, 4,500 dedicated volunteers, the City of Canton and Jackson Township as well as surrounding areas, safety officials, sponsors, countless community partners, and YOU, our guests.

We have many things as a community to be proud of. But on a national and even international level, being the birthplace of the National Football League and the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is our trademark. Think about this: where else in the world of sports will you have assembled – at one time, in one place – well over 150 individuals who achieved the highest level of excellence? Let’s proudly welcome our Gold Jackets and many guests to our great community for the biggest Enshrinement Festival in history!