The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival took the top prize for the third consecutive year in the “best special community event/festival” category during the “Best of Stark County” awards luncheon held on May 15 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of Destination Stark County Month.

 

The tourism department of the Canton/Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau teamed with a National Tourism Week committee to plan events to continue to bring attention to the vast array of attractions and entities that promote and grow tourism throughout Stark County.  The “Best of Stark County” contest was based on 13 categories, and more than 4,000 ballots were cast.

 

The award was presented by Allyson Bussey, Tourism Marketing Manager for the Canton/Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau, and accepted on behalf of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival professional staff and team of more than 4,200 volunteers by Joanne Murray, Director.

 

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival consists of 15 diverse and exciting events over ten-days, enjoyed by nearly 700,000 people.  The annual festivities produce a $30 million economic impact on the Canton/Stark County area and nearly $50 million on the State of Ohio.  The Enshrinement Festival truly is a “One of a Kind Celebration!”

 

The Enshrinement Festival is proud to also recognize its partner, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, winner of “best sporting event” in recognition of the annual Hall of Fame Game, and winner of “best museum” for its well-deserved reputation as “America’s Premier Sports Museum and Showplace!”  Congratulations also to the museum’s Private Event Facilitator, Stephen Anderson, who was named the 2009 Outstanding Employee of the Year in the Stark County tourism industry.