PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ENSHRINEMENT FESTIVAL

ANNOUNCES 2008 WINNERS 

 

The 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival recently celebrated 45 years of excellence over an 11-day period featuring 15 unique and diverse events for the enjoyment of nearly 700,000 people.  The following were winners in various competitions and categories: 

 

5-MILE AND 2-MILE RACES

The morning’s activities began with over 200 youngsters age six and under running to the finish line in the fourth annual Kids Fun Run.  Everyone in this free, non-competitive event was a winner, receiving a race medal, t-shirt and goodie bag to recognize their participation.  Immediately following, a total of 1558 runners were ready to get started in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival 5-Mile and 2-Mile Races.  Timon Biwott, of Elkhart, Indiana, won the men’s division in the 5-Mile event, while Kristen Proach of Canton took top honors, for the third consecutive year, in the women’s division. Top winners in the 2-Mile Race were Scott Hilditch of Stow and Christina Oprean of Canton.  Cash awards and various prizes were presented to the winners in the various categories and age groups.  A complete listing of results can be found on www.ohiochallengeseries.com or www.profootballhoffestival.com. 

 

COMMUNITY PARADE

Carol Koontz Baton and Drum Corps was the winner of the 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Community Parade “Community Choice Award.” This award is determined by a vote of the parade spectators who cast ballots for their favorite group, based on appearance, performance, enthusiasm and spirit demonstrated on the parade route.  Carol Koontz Baton and Drum Corps received a cash prize of $100, a plaque, and the honor of being featured in the 2009 Community Parade.

 

RIBS BURNOFF

A panel of 90 lucky folks had the good fortune to judge 14 rib vendors over two days at the 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Ribs Burnoff.  For the third consecutive year, Armadillo’s BBQ Company from Youngstown, Ohio, won First Place -- Most Outstanding Ribs and a check for $2500.  Second Place - Mayor’s Award and a check for $1,000 went to Old Carolina Barbeque Company of Canton and Massillon, Ohio, who also won Peoples Choice Award for the fifth consecutive year. The General Chairman’s Award for Best Sauce and a check for $500 were awarded to Two Fat Guys of Massillon, Ohio. 

 

TIMKEN GRAND PARADE

 

Floats:  The Timken Grand Parade showcased a large number of Hall of Famers who returned to Canton in 2008 to celebrate the induction of the newest Class of Enshrinees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Fred Dean, Darrell Green, Art Monk, Emmitt Thomas, Andre Tippett, and Gary Zimmerman. 

 

The Timken Company marked its third year as title sponsor of the parade with a spectacular float that featured 32 footballs designed by local students who were selected from throughout the county for a chance to work with a Timken Company engineer and 2^nd April Galerie artist in the effort to combine art and engineering. 

 

Nearly 200,000 spectators along the route and millions more via the national television broadcast enjoyed the Timken Grand Parade’s 129 units including marching bands, giant helium balloons, antique vehicles, specialty and animal units, and fabulous floats.  Prizes were awarded to the following float entries:

 

GRAND PRIZE:  Best overall entry in the parade

Kenan Advantage Group, Inc.

 

BUILDERS’ AWARD:  Best professional builder entry

Mercy Medical Center

 

OHIO STATE AWARD:  Best non-professional builder entry

Perry Township History Club, Inc.

 

ENSHRINEES’ AWARD:  Best effective use of color harmony

Greater Canton Bowling Association

 

MAYOR’S AWARD:  Best display of animation

Enshrinement Festival Queen’s Float sponsored by McDonald’s &

Coca-Cola Company

 

HOF BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ AWARD:  Most original concept

Aultman Health Foundation

 

NFL AWARD:  Best use of flowers or other non-manufactured covering

St. Anthony Parish

 

JANICE C. MEYER AWARD:  For exceptional merit

Canton Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic

 

FESTIVAL CHAIRMAN’S AWARD:  For exceptional merit

Giant Eagle

 

FOR EXCEPTIONAL MERIT:

The HealthPlan/Hometown Region 

 

Helium Balloons:  Additionally, Kent State University Stark Campus won the 2008 “Creative Costume Award” in a popular competition for helium balloon sponsors whose handlers dress in costume to match the theme of their balloon. Entries were judged on creativity, energy level, entertainment value and overall appearance, and the Kent Stark handlers won based on outfit coordination with their Mother Goose helium balloon.

 

In addition to receiving a photo plaque to commemorate the award, Kent State University Stark Campus will receive a discount on helium balloon rental for 2009 and have first helium balloon position in next year’s parade.

 

Bands:  Hoover High School Marching Band, under the direction of Ronald Varn, took first place in the “Battle of the Bands” competition at the 2008 Timken Grand Parade.  For its efforts, the band received a $500 gift certificate from Zampino’s Music courtesy of owners, Patti and Scott Grewell. Lake High School Blue Streak Marching Band received second place honors and Louisville High School Band placed third in the competition. Each also will receive Zampino gift certificates valued at $300 and $200 respectively.

 

The Battle of the Bands is open to any high school band participating in the parade. Performances are evaluated on tone, intonation, ensemble execution and musical content by three judges with extensive marching band experience, and who are not directly associated with any participating marching band.

 

DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

The 2008 Drum Corps International Competition featured eight of the best drum corps in America!  This popular event sponsored by the Enshrinement Festival in partnership with the Canton Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps was held at Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.  Competing against Canton’s own Bluecoats were some of the nation’s top-ranked corps, including (in alphabetical order): Blue Devils from Concord, CA; Blue Stars from LaCrosse, WI; Boston Crusaders from Boston, MA; Mandarins from Sacramento, CA; Santa Clara Vanguard from Santa Clara, CA; Spirit From JSU, from Jacksonville, AL; and Troopers from Casper, WY.

 

The Blue Devils took first place.  The Canton Bluecoats and Santa Clara Vanguard tied for second place.

 

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