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FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2007 WINNERS! 

 

Drum Corps International Competition results

The 2007 Drum Corps Competition featured six of the best drum corps in America!  This popular event sponsored by the Festival in partnership with the Canton Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps was held at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium.  Competing against Canton’s own Bluecoats were some of the nation’s top-ranked corps, including (in alphabetical order)  the Blue Devils from Concord, CA; Blue Stars from LaCrosse, WI, Colts from DuBuque, IA; Pioneer from Milwaukee, WI; The Cavaliers from Rosemont, IL.

 

The Cavaliers again took first place, Blue Devils finished second and the Bluecoats came in third.  Soon thereafter, the Bluecoats finished seventh at the DCI World Championships in Pasadena, CA.

 

5-Mile and 2-Mile Races

The morning’s activities began with 142 youngsters age six and under running to the finish line in the third 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 1,449 runners were ready to get started in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival 5-Mile and 2-Mile Races.  Nick Kruse of Austintown won the men’s division in the 5-Mile event, averaging just over five minutes per mile, while Kristen Proach of Canton took top honors in the women’s division. Top winners in the 2-Mile Race were Scott Hilditch of Stow and Brittany Wise of Canton.  A complete listing of results can be found on www.ohiochallengeseries.com or www.profootballhoffestival.com. 

 

Community Parade

Canton Elite Baton & Show Corps was the winner of the 2007 Pro Football Hall of Fame 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.  Canton Elite Baton & Show Corps received a cash prize of $100, a plaque, and the honor of being featured in the 2008 Community Parade.

 

National Ribs Burnoff Winners

A panel of 80 lucky folks had the good fortune to judge 16 rib vendors over two days at the 2007 Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival National Ribs Burnoff.  For the second year in a row, Armadillo’s Rib & BBQ Company from Youngstown, Ohio, won two awards including First Place -- Most Outstanding Ribs and a check for $2500, and the General Chairman’s Award for Best Sauce and a check for $500.  Also for the second consecutive year, Tony Roma’s from Solon, Ohio, won Second Place -- Mayor’s Award and a cash prize of $1,000.  For the fourth year in a row, locally owned Old Carolina Barbecue Company won the People’s Choice Award and a commemorative plaque.

 

Timken Grand Parade Award Winners

The Timken Grand Parade showcased a large number of Hall of Famers who returned to Canton in 2007 to celebrate the induction of the newest Class of Enshrinees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Gene Hickerson, Michael Irvin, Bruce Matthews, Charlie Sanders, Thurman Thomas and Roger Wehrli. 

 

The Timken Company marked its second year as title sponsor of the parade with a spectacular float that featured 32 helmets designed by local 7th & 8th graders.  Two-person student teams were selected from entries from throughout the county for a chance to work with a Timken Company engineer and 2nd 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 124 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:  Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

 

Builders’ Award -- Best professional builder entry: Buehler’s Fresh Food Markets

 

Ohio State Award -- Best non-professional builder entry: Louisville Constitution Days Committee

 

Enshrinees’ Award -- Best use of color harmony:  Giant Eagle

 

Mayor’s Award -- Best display of animation:  State Farm Insurance Companies

 

HOF Board of Trustees’ Award -- Most original concept:  The Furbay Electric Supply Company

 

NFL Award -- Best use of flowers or natural covering:  Queen’s Float sponsored by McDonald’s and The Coca-Cola Company

 

Janice C. Meyer Award -- Best use of 2007 Festival theme “An American  Tradition”:  Alliance Wal*Mart Supercenter & Sam’s Club

 

Festival Chairman’s Award -- For Exceptional Merit:  Ohio State Lottery

 

Exceptional Merit Award -- Greater Canton Bowling Association

 

Additionally, The MK Morse Company won the 2007 “Creative Costume Award” in a popular competition for helium balloon sponsors whose handlers dress in costume to match the theme of their balloon.  Helium balloon entries were judged on creativity, energy level, entertainment value and overall appearance.  MK Morse won the honor this year with handlers dressed as sailors to escort their “Popeye” helium balloon on the 2.2 mile parade route.

 

And finally, the Green High School “Bulldogs” Marching Band under the direction of Dale Davidson won the Battle of the Bands contest for the second consecutive year.  They received a $500 gift certificate from Zampino’s Music, courtesy of owners Patti and Scott Grewell.  Second place honors and a $300 gift certificate went to Perry High School, and third place and a $200 gift certificate was awarded to Alliance High School.

 

Photo Contest Winners

Professional and amateur “shutterbugs” who captured the excitement of the 2007 Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival outdoor events had the opportunity to vie for cash prizes totaling $1,800 in the 19th annual Photo Contest sponsored by Wal*Mart. 

 

Professional photographer Ken Love was awarded “Best of Show” and a cash prize of $250 for his Balloon Classic Invitational photo.  In the first-ever youth division (12 and under), Stephen Kamph’s Timken Grand Parade photo garnered a $75 gift card from Wal*Mart for “Best Youth Photo”, while Holly Moore received honorable mention recognition.

 

Other winners in the professional category were:  first place ($100 each) -- Balloon Classic Invitational, Bob Rossiter; Timken Grand Parade, Denny Valentine; National Ribs Burnoff, Ken Love, and honorable mentions ($25 each) -- Denny Valentine, Ken Love and Bob Rossiter.

 

Winners in the non-professional category  were:  first place ($100 each) -- Balloon Classic Invitational, Devin Casper; 5-Mile & 2-Mile Races, Edward McCall; Community Parade, Edward McCall; Drum Corps International, Christina Wine; Timken Grand Parade, Steve Brezger; National Ribs Burnoff, Helen Murray, and honorable mentions ($25 each) -- Ken Piros, Helen Murray, Devin Casper and Cheryl Earle.

 

The winning photos will be on display at the Canton Museum of Art from October 16 through October 28, and on the Festival’s Web site at www.profootballhoffestival.com.

 

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