CANTON, Ohio — Since 2016, the Hall of Fame Village in Canton has worked diligently to create year-round entertainment for visitors. And with the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Enshrinement Week here, guests at the Village will experience a totally different environment than ever before.
As the Pro Football Hall of Fame adds new names and faces each year, the Hall of Fame Village adds to the experience.
"I stand out at the gates and the most common thing I hear people say is, 'Wow, I didn't know all of this existed,'" says Mike Crawford, the CEO of Hall of Fame Village.
At the Hall of Fame Village, you can eat, shop, and play. The 112-acre campus is just steps away from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. And even if you can't get to the game, there's plenty to do.
"This is what we call our fan engagement zone, so think about anything you could possibly do as it relates to dining, entertainment, retail, those types of things. That's what this plaza is going to be: an activation site for food trucks to come down, for folks to really have a thoroughfare directly into the stadium," explains Anne Graffice, Hall of Fame Village executive vice president of global marketing and public affairs.
This year, Brew Kettle, Don Shula's and Top Golf will be open. But Crawford wanted to create an environment for everyone.
"Right down the street here, we've got seven big screens. We've got rides. We're planning a big "First Down Festival" to allow guests who can't get into the game still to partake and be a part of the environment," he says.
While many of the added experiences are now open, you'll still see construction at the village. Next year, guests will be able to stay and play with the addition of a 180-room hotel and indoor water park.
"That's going to be an amazing water park," Crawford adds. "I've reviewed the pans for that. It's one-of-a-kind. We have a world-class designer doing the inside of it for us. The only football-themed water park in America."
When you visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, remember, all of these fun additions are here or on the way. "We really hope that what it brings is a focus on this destination through the biggest event that happens in football," says Crawford.
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