Canton Carnival Of Wheels

Canton Carnival of Wheels, Inc. began in 1992 as the Timken Vehicle Display and Special Interest Show. Open for participation by Timken Company associates only, the show attracted 50 to 70 vehicles each year through 2002. The organization team disbanded due to diminished interest. In 2006, two members of the original team decided to resurrect the show, change the venue and promote public participation. The show featured 96 vehicles and grew to 119 vehicles in 2007. Both shows featured a few vendor displays and a 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 the "Canton Carnival of Wheels", to open it up for displaying anything on wheels. Participation expanded to well over 300 vehicles, multiple food vendors, and over 2000 total attendance.

The 2008 economic downturn caused the elimination of a single funding source for the Canton Carnival of Wheels. Determined to build upon the success of 2008, the organizers obtained approval from Stark State College's President in early 2009 to have the vehicle show on Stark State property. Subsequently, Canton Carnival of Wheels became incorporated as a non-porfit agency. A budget was established that included goals for obtaining financial sponsorship to offset the expenses and to provide a gift to the Stark State Automotive Technology Scholarship Fund. This Show, held on Sept 13, 2009, attracted a greater variety of more than 300 vehicles, seven food vendors, and 19 sponsor displays.

The next Canton Carnival of Wheels is scheduled for September 11, 2011 with objectives of presenting a bigger and better show. Our last show in 2010 had over 7500 people attending!

Originally organized by a group of guys and gals to show off their vehicles in a restricted gathering, the Canton Carnival of Wheels, managed exclusively by volunteers, has evolved into a community event with a more comprehensive purpose.