Entertainment writer Ed Balint suggests fun things to do in the Canton area this month.
1. Professional bull riding in Canton
Pro bull riding is returning to Canton Memorial Civic Center Nov. 21 and 22.
Competitive bull riders will perform with the Professional Championship Bullriders, which tours the country.
Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 and 7 p.m. Nov. 22. For tickets, $24 to $78.25, go to ticketmaster.com.
2. Holly Pine Lane
The 35th annual Holly Pine Lane and Holiday Light Up in the Park event will be Nov. 20-23 at Stadium Park in Canton.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 20-21, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 22-23. Santa arrives at 6:20 p.m. Nov. 20, and 12:30 p.m. Nov. 21-23.
At 6 p.m. Nov. 20, a special event starts outside Canton Garden Center, followed by Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the holiday displays in the park. A children’s choir also will perform. Canton Garden Center is at 1615 Stadium Park Drive. NW.
On display at the Garden Center will be decorated Christmas trees. There’s also the Sugar Shack, featuring handcrafted items and sweets for sale. A free Kids Day will be 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 22 for children ages 3 to 8, featuring crafts, treats and Santa, along with a photo opportunity. The Majestic Voice Chorus will perform at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 23.
The Canton Garden Center will present the event, which is free and open to the public. Stadium Park is from 1200 to 2500 Stadium Park Drive NW.
3. NEOPro Wrestling and food donations
NEOPro Wrestling will present “END GAME” Nov. 15 at The Kingdom Center, 2631 Harvard Ave. NW in Canton.
The wrestling organization will partner with Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to accept food donations for those in need.
Fans are encouraged to bring five or more shelf-stable food items to the event to support local families facing food insecurity, a NEOPro Wrestling news release said. Each donor who contributes will receive a single-use $10 voucher, redeemable for either $10 off a single future NEOPro Wrestling event ticket or $10 off a single item at the NEOPro Wrestling merchandise table.
“This partnership allows us to use the power and passion of professional wrestling to make a real difference in our community,” NEOPro Wrestling co-owner Jason Maddox said in a news release. “We’re inviting every fan to step up and help families in need right here in our own backyard.”
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank says these items are most requested: Boxed cereal, canned soup or stew, canned tuna, canned vegetables, jars of peanut butter, and boxed macaroni and cheese.
Doors open one hour before the 6 p.m. event, which features wrestlers Tre Lamor of Canton, Jimmy Shane, Wilbur Whitlock, Matthew Taylor, Members Only and Joseline Navarro. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at neoprowrestling.net.
4. Comedian Dennis Regan in Minerva
Krackpots Comedy Club in Massillon will present nationally touring comedian Dennis Regan at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at Roxy Theatre in downtown Minerva.
Regan has been performing for more than 20 years and has appeared on the “Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” as well as Showtime and Comedy Central.
General admission tickets, $22.50, and a limited number of front-row/VIP seats, $38.75, are for sale at krackpotscomedyclub.com.
5. Holiday Kick-off with the Kilgen
Canton Palace Theatre will host holiday performances Nov. 14 and 15 with the Kilgen organ and singing.
A short silent film will be shown, accompanied by organist Jay Spencer. Vocalist Lisa Knight will be performing Judy Garland songs, and Shirley’s School of Dance will perform a chorus line.
Shows are 2 p.m. Nov. 14 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15. Doors open one hour earlier.
General admission tickets cost $15. Groups of 10 or more cost $12 each. For tickets, go to https://cantonpalacetheatre.org. The box office can be reached at 330-454-8172. The Palace Theatre is at 605 Market Ave. N.
6. Christmas tribute show
Spotlight Entertainment will present a Christmas tribute show Nov. 15 at Lions Lincoln Theatre in downtown Massillon.
A five-piece band and vocalist will perform “The Sounds of Christmas: A Christmas Cabaret,” featuring music by The Carpenters, Elvis, Amy Grant, Mariah Carey, Nat King Cole, Faith Hill, Bing Crosby, Perry Como and Brenda Lee.
Tickets, $20 to $25, can be purchased at lionslincolntheatre.org. Lions Lincoln Theatre is at 156 Lincoln Way E.
7. Christmas Tree Festival in Dover
The 32nd annual Warther’s Christmas Tree Festival will be Nov. 15-23 at the Ernest Warther Museum, 331 Karl Ave. in Dover.
The museum will be filled with more than 50 decorated trees, each showcasing unique themes, along with wreathes and festive home decor, a news release said.
The festival features nightly entertainment by local performers and groups. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 15-22, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 23.
Admission is $5 per person for ages 12 and older, and children ages 11 and younger are admitted free. Proceeds support the Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Auxiliary, which has pledged to raise $1 million for a new Cancer and Radiation Center.
Two children’s tree decorating workshops will be Nov. 16 and Nov. 22. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, go to www.warthermuseum.com.
8. Mitch Rossell in Lake Township
Country music artist Mitch Rossell will perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 22 at Lake Performing Arts Hall.
Rossell has gained notoriety for opening and touring with country music legend Garth Brooks, as well as performing in 2023 on “America’s Got Talent.” He’s also performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and written songs for Brooks and Blake Shelton.
Rossell has performed in Stark County before, a product of his friendship with Brett Yeagley, former superintendent of Canton Local Schools and a country music fan. Earlier this year, Yeagley became superintendent of Lake Local Schools.
Rossell’s songs include, “Son,” “Ask Me How I Know,” and “All I Need to See.” His song, “A Soldier’s Memoir” has garnered nearly 10 million views on YouTube. Earlier this year, he released the single, “Where My Mind Goes.”
Doors open at 6 p.m. for the concert.
Tickets cost $31 and can be purchased at https://www.mitchrossell.com under tour dates.
All proceeds will benefit the Lake Performing Arts Hall, Yeagley said. The venue is at Lake Middle and High School, 709 Market Ave. SW.
9. KC and the Sunshine Band
KC and the Sunshine Band will perform Nov. 20 at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University at Tuscarawas.
Forming in 1973, the band’s hit songs include, “That’s the Way (I Like It),” “Get Down Tonight,” “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty,” “I’m Your Boogie Man” and “Boogie Shoes.”
Tickets start at $20, and can be purchased at www.kent.edu/tuscpac and by calling the box office at 330-308-6400. The box office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Performing Arts Center, 330 University Drive NE.
10. Midwest Nerdlesque Fest
Midwest Nerdlesque Fest will be Nov. 14 and 15 at the Auricle Venue + Bar in downtown Canton.
The event showcases nerdy burlesque and drag, “celebrating fandoms of every kind with dazzling striptease, campy comedy, jaw-dropping costumes, and performances that blend pop culture with the art of burlesque,” the Auricle announced online.
“Whether you’re a fan of comics, video games, horror, fantasy or sci-fi, you’ll see your favorite characters like never before.”
Doors open one hour before the 8 p.m. event both on Nov. 14 and 15. Tickets, starting at $20, can be purchased at https://www.theauricle.net.
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint