Claire Kendig 2013 Enshrinement Festival Queen

CANTON, OH (May 14, 2013) – Claire Kendig, 18, of Canton, Ohio, was crowned the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Queen from a field of 46 contestants. The 2013 Enshrinement Festival Queen Pageant was held Thursday, May 9, at The Canton Palace Theatre in downtown Canton. Contestants were judged on the basis of personality, poise, beauty, communication skills, academic achievement and service to community.

Kendig, the daughter of the Honorable Russ and Mrs. Cheryl Kendig, is soon to graduate from Perry High School, and will be attending Ohio Northern University. Seven Court members also were selected, to coincide with the number in the Class of 2013 Enshrinees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The 2013 Court members include:

• Asia Boykin, 18, of Canton, Ohio. Daughter of Brandi Boykin and Jason Barbosa. Soon to graduate from Canton South High School.
• Jill Grove, 22, of Alliance, Ohio. Daughter of Phil and Jodie Grove. Graduate of Alliance High School and currently attending Youngstown State University.
• Marisa Karapasha, 21, of Canton, Ohio. Daughter of Steve and Linda Karapasha. Graduate of Jackson High School and Cleveland State University.
• Briana McAfee, 18, of Massillon, Ohio. Daughter of Bill and Lori McAfee. Soon to graduate from Canton Central Catholic High School.
• Heather Ramsey, 18, of North Canton, Ohio. Daughter of Kent and Tam Ramsey. Graduate of Hoover High School and currently attending Lipscomb University.
• Amy Rogers, 21, of Canton, Ohio. Daughter of Tim and Linda Rogers. Graduate of GlenOak High School and currently attending University of Akron.
• Emily Scarpitti, 20, of Canton, Ohio. Daughter of Cathie Scarpitti and Vincent Scarpitti. Graduate of Canton Central Catholic High School and currently attending Walsh University.

2013 Queen and Court (from L-R):
Emily Scarpitti, Jill Grove, Heather Ramsey, Briana McAfee, Queen Claire Kendig, Marisa Karapasha, Amy Rogers, and Asia Boykin

Kayleigh Kriss, mid-day personality and FM music director of WHBC Mix 94.1, and Ron Ponder, host of Points to Ponder on News-Talk 1480 WHBC, were masters of ceremonies, and Tonya Hodgson Stuck was choreographer. Joe Halter, 2013 general chairman of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival’s Canton Regional Chamber committees, assisted with crowning the new queen and seven Court members, and Bob Hill Quartet, Daryl Robinson, and The University of Akron Dance Team provided entertainment throughout the Pageant.

Judges for the event included David Peppard, CIO, Emergency Medicine Physicians; Margaret Reaves, director, Turnaround Community Outreach; Kevin Shiplett, operations manager, Pro Football Hall of Fame; and Vicky Sterling, vice president of sales and marketing, Pinnacle Press, and 2013 Enshrinement Festival General Vice Chairman of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce committees.

Crystal McLendon, 2013 Queen Pageant chairman, vice chairman Brenda Stevens, and the members of the Queen Committee will work with Enshrinement Festival staff to coordinate all activities relating to the Queen and Court during their service as goodwill ambassadors and positive role models throughout the summer via participation in a wide range of community service projects.

At the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner, the Court will serve as escorts to the Class of 2013 Enshrinees, including: Larry Allen, Cris Carter, Curley Culp, Jonathan Ogden, Bill Parcells, Dave Robinson, and Warren Sapp. Further, the Queen and Court will represent the community at all Enshrinement Festival activities, happening from Friday, July 19 through Tuesday, Aug. 6.

ABOUT THE ENSHRINEMENT FESTIVAL

In 2013, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Enshrinement Festival will mark the 50th anniversary of honoring the legends of professional football, which includes conducting a world-renowned festival celebrating the annual enshrinement of football players, coaches and contributors into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The collaborative efforts of this leadership team, combined with the professional staffs at the Canton Regional Chamber and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the dedicated team of more than 4,200 volunteers, will ensure the success of 19 diverse events from July 19 to Aug. 6, 2013.

The Enshrinement Festival activities, attended by nearly 700,000 people, are expected to produce an economic impact of over $32 million for the Canton/Stark County area and $56 million for the State of Ohio. In addition, millions will experience aspects of the Enshrinement Festival as events are televised and covered by other media.

The central focus and highlight of this year’s Enshrinement Festival will be the Aug. 3 Enshrinement Ceremony for the Class of 2013 Enshrinees: Larry Allen, Cris Carter, Curley Culp, Jonathan Ogden, Bill Parcells, Dave Robinson, and Warren Sapp.

For the complete schedule of events, ticket information, and the latest news, check the Web sites periodically: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.

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CANTON, OH (May 6, 2013) – There is no question that football is America’s most popular sport, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame America’s premier sports museum and showplace. Join us for an exciting morning in celebration of the Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary and the 273 enshrined football legends.

At the AultCare Fast Break Breakfast on Friday, May 10, Joe Horrigan, vice president of communications and exhibits and nationally recognized expert on the sport of football, will share memories and anecdotes from his book, The Pro Football Hall of Fame 50th Anniversary Book: Where Greatness Lives.

He’ll also hint at what’s in store for the Hall of Fame city as the anniversary celebration approaches and share updates on the “The Future 50″ Expansion & Renovation Project currently underway. Copies of the book will be available for sale throughout the morning!

The May AultCare Fast Break Breakfast, presented by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, is happening on Friday, May 10. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with the program and breakfast following at 7:30 a.m. The Canton Regional Chamber’s AultCare Fast Break Breakfasts are held at the Courtyard by Marriott, located at 4375 Metro Circle in North Canton.

Tickets are $18 for Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce members, $21 for member tickets purchased less than 48 hours in advance and $25 for non-members. Tickets are available online at www.CantonChamber.org, or by calling (330) 458-2070.

Beyond this important segment of the program, Fast Break attendees have the opportunity to obtain business leads through enjoyable networking activities at an event that has built a reputation as one of the most energetic lead-producing sessions around. Bring a door prize valued at $15 or more and receive 30 seconds at the microphone to promote your business.

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Special Events • Food • Staging • Community Parade

CANTON, OHIO (April 26, 2013) – The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival department of Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pro Football Hall of Fame have named the following key committee chairs: Joann Smith, Special Events; Karen Myers, Food; Gregory Briggs, Staging; and Bernie Bresson, Community Parade.

Smith, coordinator of student teaching and field experience at Kent State University at Stark, is heading the Hall of Fame Special Events Committee for the tenth year. Prior to this position, she served as chairman of the Enshrinement Festival Souvenir Committee and was a long-time member of the Appreciation Party Committee, and she continues to serve as co-chairman of the Ribs Burnoff judging sub-committee. She shares her musical gifts as a choir member at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, and as a singer and secretary of the board of trustees for Voices of Canton. She and husband Fred are the parents of two sons and proud grandparents of two granddaughters.

As Special Events chairman, one of her major tasks will be to coordinate the Hall of Fame Board of Trustees Reception, which is staged as the first official function for the Enshrinees and their presenters, returning Hall of Famers and other out of town guests. Additionally, the Special Events Committee provides services such as emergency medical and dental assistance for guests of the Hall of Fame during their stay in Canton, and the committee is always on call to assist the Enshrinees and their families as needed. Smith will be assisted with these many duties by vice chairman Linda Leitzke.

Myers is a 16-year member of the Food Committee, with this being her second year as chairman, and she brings great expertise to the task via her position as consumer services supervisor for the Canton City Health Department. A graduate of East Canton High School and Kent State University, she has also taken classes at Walsh University. She and husband Les have two children and three grandchildren.

The Food Committee oversees the menu and wine selections and works closely with caterers to ensure the success of the food service to 12,000 guests at the Enshrinement Festival’s Fashion Show Luncheon, Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner and Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable. Serving as vice chairman of the committee is Dean Kahler.

Briggs is a sub-contractor in the flooring business, which brings a great amount of expertise to his first year as chairman of the Staging Committee, after serving as a volunteer on the committee for the past 14 years. He graduated from Timken High School and attended Stark State College. An Eagle Scout, he is the proud father of one son and one daughter.

The Staging Committee directs the planning, preparation and production of the Queen Pageant, Fashion Show Luncheon, Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner and Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable. Ben Zampino is assisting Briggs as vice chairman.

Bresson graduated from the former Glenwood High School, is retired from Metal Master Inc., and is a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 33. He is a nine-year member of the Community Parade Committee, with this being his second as chairman, and he also serves on the Grand Parade Committee as float coordinator. He is a 51-year Grange member and currently serves as president of Israel Lutheran Church and Lutheran Men in Mission Northeastern Ohio Synod, as well as secretary of National Lutheran Men in Mission Board. Previously a 20-year 4H member and advisor, he currently also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. He and wife Chris, also a Community Parade Committee member, have two daughters and one granddaughter.

The Community Parade is scheduled to kick-off at 2:30 p.m. on July 28, at Eleventh Street and Market Avenue North, and will travel south through the heart of downtown Canton. Bresson will be assisted by vice chairman Carol McLaughlin.

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CANTON, OHIO (April 22, 2013) – Crystal McLendon has been named chair of the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Queen Committee. Assisting her with leadership responsibilities will be Brenda Stevens, committee vice chair.

A Canton native, McLendon is a graduate of Sandy Valley High School and Walsh University. She is employed by Nationwide Insurance as commercial processing supervisor, and in addition to her years of service on the Queen Committee, she has previous Enshrinement Festival volunteer experience as a hostess for Hall of Famers during the Enshrinement Ceremony. She and her husband John are the proud parents of three children.

The Queen Pageant will take place Thursday, May 9, beginning at 7 p.m. at The Canton Palace Theatre where 44 outstanding young ladies will vie for the crown. All seats are reserved at $20 each, and tickets can be purchased at the Canton Regional Chamber, Canton AAA and Massillon AAA.

At the conclusion of the Pageant, a Queen and seven court members will have been selected on the basis of personality, poise, beauty, communication skills, academic achievement and service to community. The number of court members selected coincides with the number of members of the 2013 Class of Enshrinees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Queen and her court will serve as role models and goodwill ambassadors throughout the community, and one of their most memorable experiences will be their ride on a float in the Grand Parade.

The Queen Committee is responsible for working with Enshrinement Festival staff in coordinating all activities relating to the Enshrinement Festival Queen and court and serving as chaperones during their community service activities and official event appearances.

For more information regarding tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Kathy Lindenberger at (330) 458-2056 or visit the Enshrinement Festival Web site at www.profootballhofef.com.

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Balloon Classic & Jackson Belden Food Fest & Fireworks • Ribs Burnoff

CANTON, OHIO (April 9, 2013) — The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce has named the following key committee chairs: Randy Reed, Balloon Classic, Todd Hawke, Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks, and Brian Harbert, Ribs Burnoff.

Reed is an escrow officer at Title One, Inc. and is a long-time Enshrinement Festival volunteer, previously serving on the Ribs Burnoff Committee for 21 years, including two years as chairman. A graduate of East Canton High School and the former Stark Technical College, he is married to Jay. He is a past president and chairman of the board of Canton Jaycees, JCI Senatorship and WCR Affiliate of the Year. In addition to his support of the Jaycees, he has been active member of East Canton Rotary and the Stark County Association of Realtors.

Assisting Reed as the event proudly celebrates its 27th anniversary this year is vice chairman Casey Weisend. What started in 1986 with 25 balloons at Weis Park has grown to a capacity field of nearly 70 balloons on the campuses of Kent State University at Stark and Stark State College, with nearly 125,000 people enjoying the two-and-a-half-day event.

The Balloon Luminary was added in 1993 and is currently known as the Night Glow. An a further milestone was marked in 1995 when the Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks came under the umbrella of the Enshrinement Festival, joining forces with the Balloon Classic. This great partnership continues today.

The Food Fest Committee is chaired this year by Todd Hawke, principal at GDK & Company, and also current Jackson Township Trustee. He is a graduate of Kenton Ridge High School and Ohio Wesleyan University, and has served in various capacities on the Food Fest Committee since 2002. He is actively involved in the community and serves on the boards of the Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement of East Central Ohio and American Cancer Society of Stark County. He and wife Tricia have one son and one daughter.

Hawke will be assisted in the planning and staging of the Food Fest by vice chairman Carles Moore.

It’s important to remember that the Balloon Classic and Food Fest activities this year will again take place one week earlier than was tradition for many years. The Balloon Classic and Food Fest activities will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 19, 20, and 21 so as not to be in conflict with several other major ballooning events throughout the country.

The combined Balloon Classic/Food Fest event will include a wide variety of food and beverage vendors, children’s activity area, musical entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display.

Harbert, director of Aultman Management Services Organization, is a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School and Walsh University. A long-time Ribs Burnoff Committee volunteer, this is his first year as chairman, and he previously chaired the Cash Control sub-committee. He is vice president of Our Lady of Peace Men’s Club and past finance chair for the American Cancer Society Canton Relay for Life. He and wife Laurie are the proud parents of two daughters.

Another long-time Ribs Burnoff Committee volunteer, Darren Faye, is serving as vice chairman of the committee. Together, they will oversee all aspects of the Ribs Burnoff, which will take place July 31, Aug. 1 and 2 at Stark County Fairgrounds. Special attractions include a wide variety of rib and specialty food vendors, beverages, children’s entertainment area, fantasy football zone of interactive inflatables, enormous sand sculpture and musical entertainment.

ENSHRINEMENT FESTIVAL FACTS

In 2013, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Enshrinement Festival will mark the 50th anniversary of honoring the legends of professional football, which includes conducting a world-renowned festival celebrating the annual enshrinement of football players, coaches and contributors into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The collaborative efforts of this leadership team, combined with the professional staffs at the Canton Regional Chamber and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the dedicated team of more than 4,200 volunteers, will ensure the success of 19 diverse events from July 19 to Aug. 6, 2013.

The Enshrinement Festival activities, attended by nearly 700,000 people, are expected to produce an economic impact of over $32 million for the Canton/Stark County area and $56 million for the State of Ohio. In addition, millions will experience aspects of the Enshrinement Festival as events are televised and covered by other media.

The central focus and highlight of this year’s Enshrinement Festival will be the Aug. 3 Enshrinement Ceremony for the Class of 2013 Enshrinees: Larry Allen, Cris Carter, Curley Culp, Jonathan Ogden, Bill Parcells, Dave Robinson and Warren Sapp.

For the complete schedule of events, ticket information, and latest news, check the web sites periodically: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.

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