There were a total of 11 float entries this year, and all of them will be seen in Saturday morning's Timken Grand Parade beginning at 8:00 a.m. in downtown Canton.
The following is a complete list of the 2009 Timken Grand Parade float award winners:
GRAND PRIZE - Best overall entry in the parade Kenan Advantage Group
BUILDERS' AWARD - Best professional builder entry Enshrinement Festival Queen's Float, sponsored by McDonald's and The Coca-Cola Company
OHIO STATE AWARD - Best non-professional builder entry Sirpilla RV Center
ENSHRINEES' AWARD - Most effective use of color harmony State Farm Insurance Companies
MAYOR'S AWARD - Best display of animation Greater Canton USBCBA, Inc.
HOF BOARD OF TRUSTEES' AWARD - Most original concept The 12th Man Float, sponsored by the Health Plan/Hometown Region
NFL AWARD - Best use of flowers or other non-manufactured coatings Canton Disabled American Veterans
JANICE C. MEYER AWARD - For exceptional merit HCR Manorcare
The Timken Grand Parade has been a tradition since 1963 when 40,000 spectators attended the first parade. Since then, it has grown to a crowd of 200,000 lining the 2.2 mile parade route each year and millions more viewing it via television broadcast.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Timken Grand Parade is one of the largest in the nation, and the Enshrinement Festival has been voted one of the top 100 attractions in North America by the American Bus Association. The parade typically features approximately 125 entries, including spectacular floats, marching bands, helium balloons, clowns and costume characters, unique specialty units, returning Hall of Famers, and the current class of Enshrinees and their presenters.
For more news and a complete schedule of the remaining Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival events, visit the Web site: www.profootballhoffestival.com.
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