Enshrinement Festival names 2012 key committee chairmen for Races, Concert & Fireworks, Enshrinement and Fan Parties

Milcetich, a long-time member of the Race Committee, is in her first year as chairman and also volunteers for the Security & Logistics Committee. A graduate of Walsh University and The University of Akron, she is a physics teacher and planetarium director at Firestone High School. Professional affiliations include American Association of Physics Teachers, International Planetary Society, Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, Phi Delta Kappa and Phi Chapter-Delta Kappa Gamma. Her numerous awards include Akron Council PTA Outstanding Educator of the Year (1999), Firestone High School Silver Acorn Award (2000), Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (2001), and Walsh University Outstanding Alumni (2009).

Cash and/or other prizes will be awarded to top finishers in the 2-Mile and 5-Mile events, and both serious and recreational runners are welcome to participate. There will be norace-day registration, so register online now at http://bitly.com/2012races.

Vice chairman Cathy Wyatt is assisting Milcetich in planning the activities scheduled for Sunday, July 29, that will include the eighth annual free, 400-meter Kids Fun Run sponsored by Frito Lay. The Fun Run, for youngsters six and under, makes everyone a winner and has costumed characters race with the kids to the finish line. In addition to the traditional 2-Mile and 5-Mile Races, this year will mark the third annual 5-Mile Competitive Walk, in which walkers must be able to maintain an 18-minute pace, and prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in this division. All races finish at the steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, offering great photo opportunities and the chance to visit the museum.

Fallot, a graduate of Malvern High School, serves the City of Louisville as its Mayor and is also a substitute bus driver for Osnaburg Local School District. She is director of the Louisville Community Choir and president of Washington Ruritan Club, past Ohio District Ruritan Governor, master of Magnolia range Louisville Eagles, graduate of Leadership Stark County and member of Julliard Board and Farm Bureau.

Fallot, vice chairman Mike King, and their team will be attending to the many details involved with this event, which is being moved from a Thursday evening to Saturday, July 28. A variety of activities are planned at the Cornerstone Square area in the vicinity of Tuscarawas Street and Walnut Avenue, and will begin at 6 p.m. with food and family fun, including face painting, balloon artists, costumed characters and crafts for the kids in the Chesapeake Energy Family Fun Zone. Musical entertainment will include the Malone University Singers and Jimmy and the Soul Blazers. The festivities will conclude with an incredible pyrotechnic display launched from the Cornerstone Square parking deck approximately 10 p.m., featuring the magic of Zambelli, “the First Family of Fireworks!”

  

Ruda, a sales associate for R. Z. Marketing Group, is serving his 12th year as chairman of the Enshrinement Ceremony Committee. He previously served 18 years as a member of the committee, as well as three years as chairman of the former NFL Experience Committee. Ruda and his wife Gail are the proud parents of David and Danielle.

Ruda and his team of volunteers prepare the facilities and programming for staging, seating and logistics of the Enshrinement Ceremony program. Assisting him will be co-vice chairmen Terry Coyne for planning and Dave McRoberts for facilities. The Enshrinement Ceremony for the Class of 2012 football greats will be held Saturday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m. on Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium. The stellar Class of Enshrinees includes cornerback Jack Butler, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, running back Curtis Martin, and tackle Willie Roaf. Tickets are available by calling (800) 913-9788.

Bannevich graduated from Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School and University of Mount Union, where she is now employed as director of marketing. She also completed coursework at the Corporate University at Kent State University. A member of the Fan Appreciation Tailgate Party committee since 2002, this is her first year as chairman. Her community activities are extensive, including Emerging Leaders Committee at Akron Children’s Hospital, marketing chair at Alliance Chamber of Commerce, Golden Key for Exceptional Children, Greater Northeast Ohio ALS Walk Group and chapter volunteer, Go Red for Women Executive Team with the American Heart Association, and Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She and husband Jason have a son and a daughter.

There are two fantastic fan parties and both are held on Hall of Fame grounds. The Enshrinement Celebration Fan Party on Saturday, Aug. 4, sets a celebratory tone just before the Enshrinement Ceremony, as fans enjoy great food, right for a tailgate celebration and refreshing beverages in typical tailgate fashion as a deejay plays party music.

The Fan Appreciation Tailgate Party on Sunday, Aug. 5 is a great opportunity for fans to party in style with an all-inclusive experience featuring traditional tailgate food and beverages. Returning Hall of Famers are on hand for meet and greet opportunities as a deejay spins jock jams to get the fans pumped up before the Hall of Fame Game, this year featuring the Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints. Bannevich is assisted by Valerie Nash.

In 2012, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Enshrinement Festival will mark the 49th anniversary of honoring the legends of professional football, which includes conducting a world-renowned festival celebrating the annual enshrinement of football players, coaches and contributors into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The collaborative efforts of this leadership team, combined with the professional staffs at the Canton Regional Chamber and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the dedicated team of more than 4,200 volunteers, will ensure the success of 19 diverse events over two weeks from July 20 to Aug. 6, 2012.

The Enshrinement Festival activities, attended by nearly 700,000 people, are expected to produce an economic impact of over $31 million for the Canton/Stark County area and $56 million for the State of Ohio. In addition, millions will experience aspects of the Enshrinement Festival as events are televised and covered by other media.

The central focus and highlight of this year’s Enshrinement Festival will be the Aug. 4 Enshrinement Ceremony for the 2012 Class of Enshrinees, comprised of cornerback Jack Butler, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, running back Curtis Martin and tackle Willie Roaf. 

For the complete schedule of events, ticket information, and latest news, check the web sites periodically: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.

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