Canton Carnival of Wheels 2011

The upcoming Canton Carnival of Wheels promises to be everything about their name and then some!

(CAPTION): row after row of classics, hot rods & customs have helped grow this show from it's meager beginnings of 50 cars to now well over 500.

Scheduled for Sunday September 11, 2011, it's not only a car show but a special 9-11 Tribute with a Memorial concert, restored 9-11 Twin Tower Fire Truck and color guard presentation.

But the shows beginnings are interesting.  Many don't realize The Canton Carnival Of Wheels began back in 1992 as the Timken Vehicle Display And Special Interest Show and was open for participation by Timken Company associates.  Back then the show attracted 50 to 70 vehicles (cars, trucks, tractors), each year through 2002.  The organizing team disbanded because of diminishing interest.

But in 2006, two members of that team decided to resurrect the show, change the venue and promote public participation, growing it to 96 vehicles and to 119 vehicles in 2007.  Both shows featured but a few vendor displays and one food vendor.

The 2007 show earned the support of a Timken executive in attendance and resulted in the Company’s offer of full sponsorship for the 2008 event.  This show was held on the lawn of the Timken Technology Center just south of the Akron-Canton Airport, facing Interstate 77.  The name of the show was changed to Canton Carnival Of Wheels  to open it up for displaying anything on wheels.

Participation expanded to 330 vehicles, 4 food vendors and 2,000 total attendance.  The unfortunate 2008 economic downturn caused the elimination of a single funding source for the Canton Carnival Of Wheels.  Determined to build on the 2008 success, the organizers obtained approval from Stark State College’s president in early 2009 to have the vehicle show on its property.

Since then, the show has benefitted the Stark State Foundation for the Automotive Technology Scholarship Fund, getting more than 300 vehicles, seven food vendors and 19 sponsor displays and finally in 2010 close to 500 cars attended the show.

New for 2011, (8) food vendors will keep the show goers fed with a number of sponsor displays and booths that will include a special 2012 New Car Display thanks to the Great Stark County Area Dealers Association (SCADA).

Entry fee is only $10. with dash plaques going to the first 400 vehicle entered, participant and sponsor awards, door prizes drawings, live entertainment that will include DJ Jim Kelly from "The Light 95.9 WNPO Radio, "The John Berecek Band, Craig Young and Bandog and the Shoman Family Entertainers.

The organizers goal is still the same as it was from the beginning - present a family oriented event featuring vehicles on wheels and sponsors’ displays that promote their products and services, including latest technologies, to  advance business in the community. 

This years Canton Carnival Of Wheels Show is scheduled for September 11, 2011 at Stark State College, 6200 Frank Road, NW, North Canton, OH. from 10am 'til 4pm with vehicle staging beginning at 7am.   A special breakfast will available at 7am as well.

For additional information, please contact Dick Zakrzewski at 330-837-3094 or visit their website.... click the following link .... www.cantoncarnivalofwheels.com

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