CANTON, OHIO (April 9, 2012) - Kara Abbott has been named chair of the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Queen Committee. An 11-year committee member, this is her second year in this leadership role. As the 1995 Enshrinement Festival Queen, she has a unique perspective on the process and the qualifications necessary to attain the crown. Assisting her with leadership responsibilities will be Crystal McLendon, committee vice chair. A Canton native, Abbott is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and Kent State University. In addition to her service on the Queen Committee, she volunteered for ten years on the Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks Committee, and has modeled in the Enshrinement Festival Fashion Show for the past six years. Community activities include past service as a United Way coordinator, and current service at St. Mary’s School in Massillon as coordinator of the Spirit Window and member of PTO and the Auction Committee. She and husband Steve are the proud parents of five children. The Queen Pageant will take place Thursday, May 10, at The Canton Palace Theatre where 53 outstanding young ladies will vie for the crown. All seats are reserved at $18 each, and tickets can be purchased at the Canton Regional Chamber, Canton AAA, and Massillon AAA.
At the conclusion of the Pageant, a Queen and six court members will have been selected on the basis of personality, poise, beauty, communication skills, academic achievement and service to community. The number of court members selected coincides with the number of members of the 2012 Class of Enshrinees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Queen and her court will serve as role models and goodwill ambassadors throughout the community, and one of their most memorable experiences will be their ride on a float in the Timken Grand Parade. The Queen Committee is responsible for working with Enshrinement Festival staff in coordinating all activities relating to the Enshrinement Festival Queen and court and serving as chaperones during their community service activities and official event appearances. For more information regarding tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Brandy Alter at (330) 458-2052 or visit the Enshrinement Festival Web site at www.profootballhofef.com. 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 of Commerce 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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