News from around the Canton region | Stark County community briefs

Canton Repository

Sun, October 4, 2026 at 10:06 AM UTC

7 min read

Amber Seidel-Bowen puts together a portion of a giant skeleton in her yard on Carlene Avenue SW in Massillon. Sept. 9, 2026

Ghost investigations

CANTON – The Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, will present The Spirits of the Palace Ghost Investigation, led by Team S.P.E.C.T.R.E., at 11 p.m. Oct. 9 and 13.

Each tour is limited to 30 people. Attendees must be at least 13 years old to participate, and attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Cameras and recording equipment are encouraged.

For more details on the team behind the ghost investigations, visit www.teamspectreonline.com . For more information and to buy tickets ($40), visit cantonpalacetheatre.org .

Science Saturday topic is spooky creatures

CANTON – The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, will host "Monster Bash" for the next Science Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 10. Science Saturdays are free with museum admission. Guests will learn about real creatures, discover the science behind spooky legends, and explore myths, monsters and folklore. For more information, visit mckinleymuseum.org .

Irish music and dance at the Palace

CANTON – A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music & Dance Sensation will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8 the Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N. For more information and to buy tickets ($39.89 to $88.40, fees included), visit cantonpalacetheatre.org .

H.O.P.E. charity fundraiser

EAST CANTON – The Sportsman Fundraiser Dinner for H.O.P.E. will be Oct. 17 at the Foltz Community Center, 224 N. Wood St. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the buffet dinner is at 6:30 p.m. For tickets ($45), contact any H.O.P.E. member or call 330-488-2000.

There will be an auction, games and raffles to win guns and sports equipment. Sponsorships are available. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yzntbtfa or https://tinyurl.com/4yxkbzes . H.O.P.E. Inc. is a nonprofit associated with H.O.P.E. Village.

NASA's John McCullough to visit Stark State College

JACKSON TWP. – John A. McCullough, director of space communications and navigation at NASA, will visit Stark State College on Oct. 13 to discuss the agency's exploration plans for the moon and Mars and how that future feeds a strong need for careers in engineering, science, technology and communications.

The free presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the College's Business and Entrepreneurial Center and is open to the public. Guests are encouraged to RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/23najbep .

McCullough will provide an inside look at NASA's evolving technologies shaping the future of human spaceflight. Topics will include developments of Artemis and Moon Base, how NASA is evolving to meet the future, and career opportunities and pathways in the aerospace industry. He also will share his journey from growing up in Ohio to becoming a leader at NASA over the last 37 years. The presentation will conclude with a question-and-answer session.

Amber Seidel-Bowen assembles a portion of a giant skeleton in her yard on Carlene Avenue SW in Massillon. Sept. 9, 2026

Bank hosts food drive

JACKSON TWP. – First Financial Bank will host a food drive throughout October, accepting donations of canned and nonperishable food items in marked bins at its financial centers throughout the area, including at 4809 Dressler Road NW.

At the end of the drive, First Financial associates will select local organizations to receive donated food items, for distribution throughout the community.

This is the fifth year that First Financial has organized a food drive. Last year's campaign collected more than 9,800 food items throughout First Financial's footprint. More than 28,000 food items have been donated since the first year of the campaign.

Trading card show at mall

JACKSON TWP. – The J & J Pokémon, One Piece and trading card show will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at Belden Village Mall, 4230 Belden Village St NW. There will be more than 80 tables, with free admission and parking, according to the organizer. This show focuses on trading card games, not sports cards.

History Discussion Group's topic is favorite buildings

MASSILLON – The Massillon Museum's History Discussion Group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 6. Moderator Mandy Altimus Stahl will lead a discussion about favorite buildings.

The History Discussion Group meets in the Fred F. Silk Community Room in the museum, 121 Lincoln Way E. Attendance is free and open to everyone; new participants are always welcome. Pastries and coffee are available for a donation.

Skeletons are some of the spooky Halloween displays in Amber Seidel-Bowen's yard on Carlene Avenue SW in Massillon. Sept. 9, 2026 — Skeletons are some of the spooky Halloween displays in Amber Seidel-Bowen’s yard on Carlene Avenue SW in Massillon. Sept. 9, 2026

Shows at the Lincoln

MASSILLON ‒ The Lions Lincoln Theatre, 156 Lincoln Way E, will present the following:

Actor C. Thomas Howell and a screening of "The Outsiders" will be at 8 p.m. Oct. 8. Howell will tell stories from his experiences on the set of "The Outsiders" movie along with a question-and-answer session. Tickets range from $31 (general audience) to $122 (advance VIP with meet & greet).
Into the Blue: The Electric Light Orchestra Tribute will be at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10. Tickets are $25 main floor; $20 balcony.
The Darci Lynne and Friends Ventriloquist Show will be at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16. Tickets range from $43 (general audience) to $134 (advanced premium).

For more information and to buy tickets to any of these shows, visit https://www.lionslincolntheatre.org or call 330-481-9105.

Halloween Bash at the library

MASSILLON – Massillon Public Library, 208 Lincoln Way E, will host a free Halloween Bash for children from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 10. There will be crafts and trick-or-treat stations. Costumes are strongly encouraged. No registration is required. For more information, call 330-832-9831.

'Seussical' in North Canton

NORTH CANTON. – The North Canton Playhouse, 525 Seventh St. NE, will present the musical "Seussical" at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17, and at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and 18. Buy tickets, $20, at www.northcantonplayhouse.com/tickets . Attendees should enter the building through Door 5.

Celebrate Banned Book Week

NORTH CANTON – Celebrate Banned Books Week at the North Canton Public Library's new temporary location in the Hoover District, 339 E. Maple St.

In honor of Banned Books Week (Oct. 5-10), the library has taken a commonly challenged/banned book, shredded it into pieces and put it on display. "The shredded book is a symbolic representation of what it means to ban a book," the library said in a news release. "Guess what book it is and enter a drawing to win a prize."

Enchanted Forest at The Wilderness Center

SUGAR CREEK TWP. – The Enchanted Forest at The Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave. SW, will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 and 4 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10. Explore pumpkin-lit trails, meet costumed volunteers portraying woodland characters who share stories and songs about nocturnal animals, and visit the Astronomy Building for Star Watch (weather permitting). Admission is $12 for members, $15 for nonmembers, and free for children 2 and younger. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.wildernesscenter.org/calendarofevents .

Spooky Science

WASHINGTON TWP. – Spooky Science at Beech Creek Botanical Gardens & Nature Preserve, 11929 Beech St. NE, will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 9, 10, 16, 17. Admission is $15 online; $17 at the door. For more information, visit https://www.beechcreekgardens.org/spooky-science. To buy tickets, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/spooky-science--2026.

Stark Parks programs

Stark Parks will offer a variety of upcoming programs and activities. Visit StarkParks.com for class information and registration for all events and programs, unless otherwise noted:

Spooky Species: Turkey Vulture will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Wildlife Conservation Center at Sippo Lake Park, 800 Genoa Ave. NW, Perry Township. Learn about turkey vultures and what makes them excellent predators of the skies. This program is free, but registration is required.
A Ranger Walk will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at Walborn Reservoir, 11324 Price St. NE, Lexington Township. Join park rangers for a behind-the-scenes look into their career and daily duties on a one-mile hike. Learn about Stark Parks history and natural resources along the way. The program is free, but registration is required.
Backyard Habitat: Native Seed Collection will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Petros Lake Park, 4883 Perry Drive SW. Collect seeds from native wildflowers to support native plant restoration, biodiversity, and seasonal planning. The program is free, but registration is required.
A Traditional Music Night will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 15. Inside the Manor House at Quail Hollow Park, 13480 Congress Lake Ave. NE, Lake Township. Bring an instrument and join in, or enjoy listening to traditional, bluegrass, and Celtic tunes. Admission is $3 for everyone. No registration is required.

Skeletons are on display for Halloween in Amber Seidel-Bowen's yard on Carlene Avenue SW in Massillon. Sept. 9, 2026 — Skeletons are on display for Halloween in Amber Seidel-Bowen’s yard on Carlene Avenue SW in Massillon. Sept. 9, 2026

This article originally appeared on The Repository: News from around the Canton region | Stark County community briefs