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The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival events are enjoyed by nearly 700,000 people on site, and millions more will be able to enjoy several of the events via television broadcasts. ENSHRINEES’ GOLD JACKET DINNER For the second year in a row, the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner on Thursday, August 6, will be broadcast on the NFL Network.  The event name appropriately reflects that the Hall of Fame Gold Jacket will be presented at this event to each member of the Class of 2015 Enshrinees.  It is one of three iconic symbols of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the other two being the bust which is unveiled at the Enshrinement Ceremony and forever showcased at the Hall of Fame, and the ring which is presented individually to each Enshrinee at his home stadium in the ensuing football season. Tickets for this prestigious event are still available, and guests are being reminded that in order to accommodate the broadcast, the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner activities will begin with the cocktail party at 5 p.m., followed by dinner, the introduction of a large number of returning Gold Jackets/Hall of Famers, and the Gold Jacket presentation. Major components of the event, including the presentation of the Gold Jackets to the Class of 2015 Enshrinees, will be broadcast on NFL Network on Thursday, August 6 from 9 to 10:30 p.m., available on Time Warner channel 346 and 1346 HD,  and on Massillon Cable channel 104 and 704 HD. COMMUNITY PARADE Approximately 105 parade units will participate in this year's Community Parade on Sunday, July 26, in downtown Canton. The community-based parade, founded in 1980 as the Junior Parade, offers local and regional groups the opportunity to participate in an exciting, professional event. The parade units will be staged in the Nationwide Insurance Companies parking lot, with units stepping off at 2:30 p.m. from 11th St. N, traveling south on Market Ave. through the downtown area, and disbanding at approximately Second St. S. Pam Cook and Gary Rivers from News-Talk 1480 WHBC will team up as co-commentators of the parade from their broadcast booth at the "Market Square” (the former Kresge green space) on Market Ave., between Third and Fourth Streets, North, and Michaela Madison will handle on-street interviews. The Community Parade broadcast will be available on Monday, July 27 and Tuesday, July 28 at 8 p.m. 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
  • Massillon Cable channel 128 in Stark and Wayne Counties
TIMKENSTEEL GRAND PARADE The TimkenSteel Grand Parade will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, beginning at 8 a.m. The first grand parade was held in 1963, and it has become one of the largest of the events celebrating the induction of the newest Class of Enshrinees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This year’s celebration will feature the Class of 2015 Enshrinees and will include a large contingent of returning Gold Jackets/Hall of Famers. 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 much, much, more.  Specialty units like the giant walking flag, The Jesse White Tumbling Team from Chicago, and the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile are sure to thrill. Spectators will be energized by the Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders, their “Skol Line” and mascot Viktor. Reminder:  Spectators will be required to show their tickets before being permitted to sit in reserved areas, and this will be strictly enforced. The TimkenSteel Grand Parade will enjoy a wide television viewing audience on Fox Sports Ohio, on Sunday, August 16 approximately 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. (or following the Cincinnati Reds live post-game show), with a re-air scheduled for Monday, August 17 from 10:00 pm to midnight. Fox Sports Ohio is available to almost six million households saturating Ohio and reaching into portions of West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York. The TimkenSteel Grand Parade broadcast will also be available on Saturday, August 22 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday August 23 at 2 p.m. 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
  • Massillon Cable channel 128 in Stark and Wayne Counties
For more information, call Erin Adcock at (330) 458-2053, or visit the Enshrinement Festival Web site at www.profootballhoffestival.com.