Races • Concert and Fireworks • Enshrinement • Fan Parties
CANTON, OH (July 18, 2013) – The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pro Football Hall of Fame have named the following key committee chairs: Christine Milcetich, 2-Mile and 5-Mile Races, Mike King, Concert and Fireworks, Guy Ruda, Enshrinement, and Gina Bannevich, Fan Parties. [gallery columns="4" link="file" ids="6562,6563,6564,6565"] Milcetich, a long-time member of the Race Committee, is in her second year as chairman and also volunteers for the Security & Logistics Committee. A graduate of Walsh University and University of Akron, she is a physics/biology teacher and planetarium director at Firestone High School. Professional affiliations include American Association of Physics Teachers, National Science Teachers Association, Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, Phi Delta Kappa and Phi Chapter-Delta Kappa Gamma. Her numerous awards include Akron Council PTAs’ 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 no race-day registration so register online now at http://bitly.com/2013races. Vice chairman Cathy Wyatt is assisting Milcetich in planning the activities scheduled for Sunday, July 28 that will include the ninth 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 fourth 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. King, of King Properties, is a graduate of Hoover High School and attended Kent State University. After serving on the Concert and Fireworks committee for 10 years, this is his first as chairman. Very active in downtown development, he is the recipient of the ArtsinStark Turning Point Award for the Canton Arts District, and five Downtown Canton Special Improvement Awards for downtown developments. He is chairman of Zing in the City, past chairman and current trustee of the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District, member of Canton Construction Board and Home to Canton, and past president and member of the Stark County Real Estate Investors Association, as well as a member of the Lake Cable Recreation Association. He and wife Mary Ellen are parents to two daughters and two stepdaughters. King, vice chairman Jeff Burner, and their team will be attending to the many details involved with this event on the evening of Saturday, July 27. 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 a lively rock and roll band to be announced later. 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 13th 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 2013 football greats will be held Saturday, Aug. 3, at 7 p.m. at Fawcett Stadium. The stellar Class of Enshrinees includes guard/tackle Larry Allen, wide receiver Cris Carter, defensive tackle Curley Culp, tackle Jonathan Ogden, coach Bill Parcells, linebacker Dave Robinson, and defensive tackle Warren Sapp. Tickets are available at (800) 913.9788. Bannevich graduated from Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School and University of Mount Union, and completed coursework at the Corporate University at Kent State University. She recently accepted a new position as marketing director at Westfield Belden Village. A member of the Fan Appreciation Tailgate Party committee since 2002, this is her second year as chairman. Her community activities are extensive, including chair at Alliance Chamber of Commerce, Golden Key for Exceptional Children, Greater Northeast Ohio ALS Walk Group and chapter volunteer, 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 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 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 Miami Dolphins vs. Dallas Cowboys. Bannevich is assisted by Valerie Nash.ABOUT THE ENSHRINEMENT FESTIVAL
In 2013, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Enshrinement Festival will mark the 50th 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 from July 19 to Aug. 6, 2013. The Enshrinement Festival activities, attended by nearly 700,000 people, are expected to produce an economic impact of over $32 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. 3 Enshrinement Ceremony for the Class of 2013 Enshrinees: Larry Allen, Cris Carter, Curley Culp, Jonathan Ogden, Bill Parcells, Dave Robinson, and Warren Sapp. For the complete schedule of events, ticket information, and latest news, check the web sites periodically: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.###