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Are you ready to usher in thousands of guests for football's biggest celebration, the Enshrinement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026?

The celebration kicked off with the Balloon Classic this past weekend, but there's no slowing down now. The Community Parade will be on Saturday, followed by a FREE four-day celebration, the Sugardale Fan Fest. Fan Fest will feature an all-new event, USA Today's Great American Tailgate. Guests can sample different foods representing all 32 NFL Cities, or buy a full-sized portion of their favorite dish!

There will be plenty of opportunities for visitors to see a Hall of Famer with the Grand Parade, Hall of Famer Walk, and Autograph Sessions. The signature event is the Enshrinement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, where five former NFL Players will officially join football immortality. The celebration concludes with the much-anticipated Concert for Legends featuring country music star Lainey Wilson!

We encourage all partners to help visitors have the best possible experience by sharing important "Know Before You Go" information. Guests should plan for increased traffic throughout the weekend and allow extra travel time when attending events.

Full Schedule of Events:

• August 1: Community Parade
• August 4: Play Football Skills Camp
• August 5: Play Football First Play
• August 5 - 9: Sugardale Fan Fest featuring USA Today's Great American Tailgate
• August 6: The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game
• August 7: The Hall of Famer Walk
• August 7: The Fashion Show Luncheon
• August 7: The Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner
• August 8: The Grand Parade
• August 8: The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Enshrinement
• August 8: Returning Hall of Famers Autograph Session
• August 9: The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Unscripted & Tailgate
• August 9: The Concert for Legends featuring Country Star Lainey Wilson

Click here for your Insider's Guide to Enshrinement!

It's officially Enshrinement Week! Help your frontline staff connect visitors with even more to see and do while they're in the area!

Whether they're looking for attractions, local events, restaurants, shopping, outdoor recreation, or hidden gems, these resources make it easy to connect guests with trusted recommendations and memorable experiences.

Dining in Stark County:

• Bar & Grill
• Wines, Brews, & Spirits
• Sweets & Treats
• Group Friendly Dining

Trip Ideas:

• For Football Lovers
• For Shoppers
• For Beer Lovers

Free things to do in Stark County

Family Fun Activities

Museums & Historic Sites

Entertainment & Nightlife

Full Calendar of Events

VIP Savings Pass - Deals & Discounts for Visitors

Capture great photos of guests having a great time during Enshrinement Week? Upload them to Visit Canton to be used in future promotions!

We'd love to showcase your business and events by featuring your photos in future marketing materials. If you have recent photos of your business or events, we'd be grateful if you could upload them to our SnapSea submission form.

Have questions? Reach out to Jonathan Williams, Marketing Content Manager, jonathanw@visitcanton.com.

Visit Canton Welcome Centers will be open extended hours during Enshrinement Week! Our team is ready to help visitors make the most of their time in the area and shop a great selection of local merchandise.

Hall of Fame Village:
Wednesday, August 5: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday, August 6: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday, August 7: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday, August 8: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday, August 9: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Downtown:
Wednesday, August 5: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday, August 6: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday, August 7: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday, August 8: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday, August 9: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

A Joint Networking Event for Partners of Visit Canton, Akron-Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Akron-Canton Airport!

Join fellow tourism, hospitality, attraction, and community partners from across Stark and Summit counties for an afternoon of networking, industry updates, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access at Akron-Canton Airport.

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Akron-Canton Airport

This collaborative event is designed to strengthen regional connections, share updates impacting our visitor economy, and provide an opportunity to learn more about the important role Akron-Canton Airport plays in welcoming visitors to our communities.

Attendees will enjoy speed networking, lunch, presentations from regional tourism leaders and airport representatives, and the opportunity to participate in an exclusive behind-the-scenes airport tour.

Questions about the event? Contact: Izzy Morales, Visit Canton Client & Guest Engagement Coordinator, Isrraelm@visitcanton.com.

Click here to register!

Everyone deserves to experience arts and culture.

Join ArtsinStark and Visit Canton for the inaugural Access the Arts Accessibility Summit, bringing together arts organizations, attractions, nonprofits, and community leaders to explore practical ways to make arts and cultural experiences more welcoming and accessible for everyone.

📅Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
🕓 Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍Location: Cable Recital Hall | Cultural Center for the Arts1001 Market Ave. N. | Canton, OH 44702

Hear from regional experts, learn from organizations already leading the way, and discover funding opportunities through the new Access the Arts Grant Program.

Whether you're just beginning your accessibility journey or looking to build on existing efforts, you'll leave with ideas, resources, and connections to help move your organization forward.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Staff, board members, volunteers, and leaders from Stark County arts, cultural, tourism, and nonprofit organizations interested in making their programs and spaces more welcoming and accessible for all.

Summit Agenda

• 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM Registration, Coffee & Networking
• 8:30 AM – 8:40 AM Welcome & Opening Remarks
• 8:40 AM – 9:25 AM Keynote: Creating Welcoming Experiences for Everyone, James Warnken, Stark Ally
• 9:25 AM – 9:40 AM Accessibility in Action, TRIAD Deaf Services
• 9:40 AM – 10:20 AM Panel Discussion: Accessibility in Practice - Hear from organizations already making arts and cultural experiences more accessible.
• 10:20 AM – 10:35 AM Introducing the Access the Arts Grant Program
• 10:35 AM – 11:00 AM Questions, Networking & Resource Sharing

Click here to register!

Have a question about the day? Reach out to President & CEO of ArtsinStark, Maureen Ater, at Mater@artsinstark.com!

Spooky Season is on the way, get your Fall Fun & Halloween events submitted!

If you are hosting a fall festival, pumpkin patch, corn maze, Halloween event, haunted attraction, trunk-or-treat, or any other seasonal activity, we encourage you to submit it to our Event Calendar.

Be sure to submit your event as early as possible so it has the best opportunity to be included in our promotions. Complete event details, photos, and updates help us share your event more effectively.

Together, we can create a vibrant lineup of seasonal experiences that encourage visitors to explore, stay longer, and support local businesses! Thank you for partnering with us to make this fall and Halloween season one to remember.

We look forward to helping you spread the word!

Submit your events here!

Contact our Partner Content Coordinator, Gabe Baker, at gabeb@visitcanton.com for additional assistance or questions!

If your board meetings feel report-heavy, if roles get blurry, or if engagement is uneven, this workshop is built for you.

Join a practical, hands-on learning lab that helps boards move faster, govern smarter, and stay anchored to mission. Walk out with clearer roles, better meetings, stronger committees, and a governance toolkit you can use immediately.

Who Should Attend?

• Executive directors and senior staff who support the board
• Board members and officers
• Committee chairs and committee members
• Staff with career aspirations to manage a nonprofit organization

All learning labs run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with check-in open at 9:30 a.m.

• July 28 in Lake County (City of Willoughby City Hall)
• Aug. 25 in Chillicothe (The Plaza Conference Center)

Investment includes in lab learning materials, everything listed in 'resources you will receive' and lunch.

• $125/pp for OTA Members
• $175/pp for Non-Members

Register for the event here!

Questions? Contact OTA Executive Director Melinda Huntley at mhuntley@ohiotravel.org.

Registration for the 2026 Ohio Conference on Travel is now Open!

Travel and tourism are undeniable forces, driving strength and connection across every Ohio community.

Whether representing an attraction, museum, lodging, restaurant, retail, a destination marketing organization, state agency, or any other travel sector, you're a vital part of this industry. The Ohio Conference on Travel is an essential gathering you need to be at.

We're thrilled to announce that registration is officially OPEN for our 2026 conference, themed "Stories That Move Us." This event is dedicated to celebrating the people, places, and moments that make Ohio tourism unforgettable and empowering the professionals behind those stories.

Date: October 7-9, 2026
Location: Roberts Centre, 123 Gano Rd, Wilmington, OH 45177

Imagine three days packed with:
✅Transforming communities into storytellers.
✅Cutting-edge tourism marketing strategies to reach new audiences.
✅Leveraging sports tourism.
✅How Communities are funding tourism and recreation.
✅ADA rules and what they mean for your website.
✅Emerging trends defining traveler behavior.

Beyond the sessions, you'll be inspired by best practices, celebrate industry award winners, and engage with thought-provoking ideas from tomorrow's leaders. This is your chance to forge invaluable connections, build your professional tribe, and discover firsthand the stories that move our industry forward.

Act Fast, rates will Increase on August 8th!

Don't miss out on significant savings! Secure your spot today and invest in you, your team's growth, and the future of Ohio's vibrant tourism industry at the best possible price.

Click here to register!

Is there a better way to finish the Summer other than visiting your favorite local Ice Cream Shops and discovering new ones?

The Ohio Ice Cream Trail is back for its 9th year, featuring 10 of Stark County's own favorite Ice Cream Shops and many more throughout the state!

Ohio's rich agricultural heritage, culinary culture, innovative chefs, and zest for supporting local businesses make the state the cream of the crop when it comes to this delightful treat. And Ohio, which is No. 11 in the nation for milk production, is home to more than 1,400 dairy farms and hundreds of shops, each with their own flavor of creativity.

That means you can share your ice cream dreams with friends and family nearly anywhere you wander in Ohio. But don't leave it to chance. Here's the A to Z list of scoop shops on the Ohio Ice Cream Trail, where frozen confection paradise is yours for the tasting! You can also download a printable copy of the trail map. Remember that some stops have multiple locations.

2026 is the 250th anniversary of the United States! Ohio History Connection wants to host more than 250 Ohio Open Doors events in 2026 and have at least one in each of our state’s 88 counties. Ohio Open Doors 2026 is another opportunity for your community to be a part of America 250-Ohio.

Ohio Open Doors is state-wide event that takes place every other year. During Ohio Open Doors, stewards of historic buildings, places and spaces, open their doors to the public for special tours and programs.

Many events are exclusive to Ohio Open Doors. Since the program started in 2016 hosts have noted upticks in visitation during Ohio Open Doors.

Register your event here!

Help Your Team Get Enshrinement Week Ready! 🏈

Football's Greatest Weekend is almost here, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame has a great way to help your team show their Stark County pride! Football's Greatest Weekend T-shirts are available for just $10 each - perfect for frontline staff welcoming visitors during Enshrinement Week.

Let's show our guests that Stark County is football proud and ready for an unforgettable week!

Order for your team today!

This summer, Visit Canton is out and about regionally and across Stark County! From fairs and festivals to sporting events and community gatherings, we’re excited to connect with visitors and showcase our amazing destination partners along the way.

Do you have giveaway items or grand prize items you’d like to share?

🎁 Got leftover giveaways taking up space?

🎫 Want to promote a gift card or new experience?

🙌 Want visibility at events but don’t have staff to attend?

We’d love to feature your organization! Items may be used as prize wheel giveaways or as grand prizes at events all summer long.

Reach out to Taylor Helbig, Visit Canton Guest Experience Manager at taylorh@visitcanton.com to participate and coordinate a pick-up.

Looking to become a member of the Ohio Restaurant Association?

Membership in the Ohio Restaurant Association provides access to valuable resources designed to support and strengthen your business, including industry advocacy, educational opportunities, regulatory updates, networking events, workforce resources, and member-exclusive savings programs.

Any restaurant that participated in the Canton Community Dish hosted by Gervasi Vineyards is eligible for the membership discount code provided OHRA as a thank you for hosting.

Please follow this link to sign up, use the QR code, or click the learn more button below!

Looking to join the OHRA or have additional questions about membership benefits? Rech out to Lauren Simon, Northeast Ohio, Territory 4, at lsimon@ohiorestaurant.org.

REMINDER! It's time to submit your ad for the Visit Canton 2026 fall/winter Travel Guide (distributed September 2026 - February 2027).If you purchased an ad in the current spring/summer 2026 Travel Guide, you may update your ad at no charge for the fall/winter guide, or you may pick up the same ad to run again. PLEASE CONFIRM BY MAY 1st.

Please respond via the online portal >> https://glstudios.com/visit-canton-2026-artwork/Any questions, contact Megan Stimac mstimac@glstudios.com.*SPECIAL EVENTS*

Promote your fall and winter events in the guide & online with a Special Event Feature Listing in the Calendar of Events special section for $550 or two events for $950 (save $150). Contact Nichole Cardinale ncardinale@glstudios.com | (330) 265-8665 to reserve your event listing.

Access to Arts: Join ArtsinStark and Visit Canton for the inaugural Access the Arts Accessibility Summit, bringing together arts organizations, attractions, nonprofits, and community leaders to explore practical ways to make arts and cultural experiences more welcoming and accessible for everyone.

• Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
• Time: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Location: Cable Recital Hall at the Cultural Center for the Arts

Tourism Takes Flight: Partner Luncheon & Behind the Scenes Tour: Join fellow tourism, hospitality, attraction, and community partners from across Stark and Summit counties for an afternoon of networking, industry updates, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access at Akron-Canton Airport.

• Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
• Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
• Location: Akron-Canton Airport

Visit Canton Industry Development Day: Join Visit Canton for Industry Development Day, a half-day professional development conference designed for tourism, hospitality, attractions, events, arts and culture, and community partners across Stark County.

• Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
• Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Location: Stark Parks Exploration Gateway
  

Visit Canton Partner Huddle: Visit Canton Partner Huddles are quarterly gatherings that provide updates, resources, and opportunities to collaborate. They offer partners a chance to connect, ask questions, and stay aligned on initiatives that strengthen our communities.

• Date: Thursday, October 15th at
• Time: 12:00 PM ~ 1:00 PM
• Location: Visit Canton Downtown Offices

Visit Canton Merry Mixer: Join fellow attractions, restaurants, hotels, venues, arts and culture organizations, and community partners for an evening of networking, celebration, and holiday cheer as we reflect on another successful year of tourism in Stark County.

• Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
• Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Location: It could be YOU!

Click here to find out more information and register to attend events.

Visit Canton’s Grant Programs provide funding to support events, projects, and initiatives that attract visitors to Stark County. Applications for 2026 projects open September 10th, giving partners the chance to strengthen tourism impact and create memorable experiences. Learn more about eligibility, criteria, and how to apply on the Visit Canton Grant Landing Page.

2026 Cultural Tourism Grants

The ArtsinStark/Visit Canton Cultural Tourism Grant program will invest up to $200,000 in 2026 to support arts and cultural events, programming, and marketing initiatives that drive regional visitation and visitor spending.

Grant Program Highlights:

• Competitive awards of up to $20,000 per project (max $20,000 per organization per cycle).

• Projects must increase attendance from outside Stark County, enhance events with arts & cultural elements, and foster collaboration.

• Applications must be submitted 90 days before project execution; projects must be completed in 2026.

2026 Event Support Grants

Visit Canton’s Event Support Grant program is designed to increase regional visitation and economic impact through visitor spending by supporting sporting events & tournaments, conferences, professional meetings, expos, and complementary experiences tied to qualifying events.

Grant Program Highlights:

• Events must have a minimum commitment of 125 Stark County hotel room nights and/or 400-day visitors from outside of Stark County.

• Competitive awards of up to $10,000 per event, pending available funds.

• Applications must be submitted at least 90 days before the scheduled event.

• Events must be hosted within the 2026 calendar year.

Business and Event Listings Updates, Exploreboard Maintenance, and New Partner Onboarding: Gabe Baker, gabeb@visitcanton.com

Website Updates and Social Content Requests: Willis Brienza, willisb@visitcanton.com

Welcome Center Brochures and Travel Guide Requests: Carole Camarata, carolec@visitcanton.com

Grants, Industry Partner Programs, Marketing and Promotions Opportunities: Allison Gromofsky, allisong@visitcanton.com

Important Reminders Regarding the Use of “America 250” Logos & Brand Placement:

• The word mark “America 250” is owned by the national America 250 Commission.
• The Ohio Commission holds the license to use the words “America 250” in our logo and communications.
  
• Permission to use the words “America 250” can be granted if:
  • Your organization is an official America 250-Ohio Community, or
  • You have signed an America 250-Ohio logo agreement.

• If your organization wishes to use the national America 250 logo, permission must be obtained from the national organization.

We encourage all partners to review these resources to support your 2026 America 250 projects and ensure proper use of the America 250 brand. You can also download the America 250-OH Stark County logo here.

The America 250-Ohio Commission website now features a dedicated landing page where you can list your community’s 2025-2026 America 250 events. Submit your events anytime using this calendar submission form to increase visibility and support statewide promotion.

Let's put Stark County on the map - don't miss this FREE opportunity! Submit your America 250 Ohio events here.

Planning an event or fundraiser that includes a form of gambling such as bingo or a raffle?

Organizations planning fundraisers or special events that may involve gambling should review the Ohio Revised Code before moving forward.

Ohio's gambling laws contain specific requirements, exceptions, and restrictions that apply to charitable organizations and other entities. Activities such as bingo, instant bingo, raffles, and other forms of charitable gaming are regulated by state law.

Understanding these requirements can help you conduct your events in a lawful and responsible manner.

We want to see your best shots!

Whether it's a scenic view, a fun event, or your latest photoshoot, upload your photos and videos to help us showcase what makes our area a great destination.

Upload Directly to Visit Canton, or use the submission further down this page!

Have you been featured in the news? Let us know!

• Partner Benefits & Industry Resources
• Event Planning Resource Guide

Visit Canton uses a technology platform to aggregate event listings from Google-indexed data. If your event is listed on Eventbrite, Ticketmaster, Facebook, or your website, it may already be listed. View the Event Guide for more information on the automation process.

If you prefer to submit your event manually, please submit event details here.