Streets will be lined with chairs and tents as thousands gather Saturday morning in downtown Canton for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Grand Parade — a cherished tradition and the city’s largest free event.
The parade begins at 8 a.m. along Cleveland Avenue and features a 2.2-mile route filled with floats, balloons, marching bands, classic cars, local media, and the stars of the show — this year’s Hall of Fame enshrinees and returning legends.
Each year, more than 200,000 people attend the parade, making it the fifth largest in the country. In preparation, spectators traditionally camp out the night before, securing prime viewing spots with more than two miles of roped-off chairs and pop-up tents.
Saturday’s lineup includes more than 100 units and kicks off with the Grand Parade presented by Certified Angus Beef, followed by the Football Player Balloon, the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, and the Walking Flag.
Crowd favorites such as Goldy the G.O.A.T., Mr. Potato Head, OBIE the Tiger, and the Big Idaho Potato Truck will appear alongside high school marching bands, Ultimate Fans from various NFL teams, and floats from local organizations and businesses.
This year’s enshrinees include Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Sterling Sharpe, and Antonio Gates. They will be joined by past inductees including Joe Greene, Tony Dungy, Mike Singletary, Steve Largent, Morten Andersen, and many more, some riding with their families and others in classic antique cars.
Media personalities from Mix 94.1, WHBC, Q92, WDPN, WQMX, and WONE will also appear throughout the route, alongside local officials including Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II and representatives from the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Bands performing include GlenOak, Louisville, Perry, Tuslaw, Jackson, East Canton, Minerva, Alliance, Marlington, Lake, Canton South, Shaw, Massillon, North Canton Hoover, and Northwest high schools.
Additional attractions include the South Shore Drill Team, the MAPS Air Museum military vehicles, the Freedom Float with veterans, and a variety of costumed mascots and character balloons, including a birthday cake, turtle, butterfly, and LAWson the police dog.
Organizers remind attendees that limited seating is available along the route, and viewers are encouraged to arrive early. The event is part of Football’s Greatest Weekend, culminating in the annual Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony and Sunday’s Concert for Legends featuring Nickelback and Mitchell Tenpenny at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
For more parade information and a full list of weekend events, visit www.profootballhof.com.
