TimkenSteel Grand Parade a sight to see
With past and present football starts, giant helium balloons, local marching bands and entertainers, the Hall of Fame TimkenSteel Grand Parade is sure to please.
The annual parade draws about 200,000 people to the streets of downtown Canton.
The first parade was held in 1963 and has become one of the largest events celebrating the newest Class of Enshrinees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, parade organizers said.
The parade steps off at 8 a.m. Aug. 8 on Cleveland Avenue and Fourth Street SW and travels north on Cleveland to 25th Street NW and will take about two hours to travel the 2.2-mile route.
WHAT YOU WILL SEE
This year’s parade will feature the Class of 2015 Enshrinees — Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Charles Haley, Bill Polian, Junior Seau, Will Shields, Mick Tingelhoff and Ron Wolf — and a large contingent of returning Hall of Famers will participate in the parade.
Parade spectators will be treated to the sights and sounds of 12 giant helium balloons, 15 marching and military bands, 10 floats and 20 specialty units, as well as antique vehicles, animal units and more.
Specialty units like the giant walking flag, The Jesse White Tumbling Team from Chicago, and the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile will be on hand, and the crowd will be entertained by the Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders, their “Skol Line” and mascot Viktor.
GET THERE EARLY
The parade kicks off a long day of events and brings a crowd to town. Parade spectators should be prepared to arrive early.
Regardless of your location along the parade route, organizers say you won’t be sorry, but to ensure a great seat, paradegoers should consider purchasing a reserved seat.
Reserved bleacher seats or chairs are available for $9 and generally are on Cleveland Avenue from the beginning of the parade route at Fourth Street South to 10th Street North.
For reserved seat tickets, visit www.profootballhoffestival.com/tickets or call 330-458-2088.
WHAT TO BRING
It’s an early morning so don’t forget the doughnuts or other snacks and beverages.
If you forgo reserved seating, don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Most importantly, don’t forget your camera. There will be plenty of chances to spot a Hall of Famer and local and national celebrities.
Organizers also remind spectators to bring sunscreen and sunglasses and be prepared to have fun.
GETTING AROUND
Don’t forget your patience. Traffic will be heavy and — just like you — everyone will be looking for a good parking space and great spot to watch the parade.
Cleveland Avenue to 30th Street North and Market Avenue from 11 Street South to Tuscarawas Street will be closed.
There are no designated parking areas for the parade.
CAN’T MAKE THE PARADE?
The TimkenSteel Grand Parade will be aired on television.
The parade will be shown around 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16 — or following the Cincinnati Reds live post-game show — on Fox Sports Ohio (Channel 31 on MCTV), and 10 p.m. Aug. 17. Fox Sports Ohio is available to almost six million households in Ohio and portions of West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York.
The TimkenSteel Grand Parade also will be broadcast at 8 p.m. Aug. 22 and 2 p.m. Aug. 23 on the following:
• WIVM-TV 39.1 and WIVN-TV 29.1
• Time Warner cable channel 989 in Stark County
• Time Warner cable channel 4 in Tuscarawas, Holmes and Carroll counties
• MCTV channel 128 in Stark and Wayne Counties