Niko Moon kicks off new era at Centennial Plaza show in Canton, Ohio

The first fully ticketed concert at Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton was a big success.
Country pop artist Niko Moon performed at the outdoor venue on Sept. 19.
Mayor William V. Sherer II said the city plans to hold three to four ticketed shows at Centennial Plaza annually.

CANTON − Downtown Canton’s crown jewel of an outdoor entertainment venue ushered in a new era on Sept. 19 with its first fully ticketed concert.

And the Niko Moon show was such a rousing success that Mayor William V. Sherer II said he expects the city to hold three to four ticketed shows per year at the venue, featuring a national recording artist.

“I’ve been wanting to do a ticketed event here, and I think everything is falling into place,” Sherer said. “You get a couple thousand people to see Niko Moon and everybody benefits economically (downtown). This is a good thing.”

Moon turned Centennial Plaza into Centennial Beach. Embodying a feel good vibe, the singer-songwriter was part Jimmy Buffett, part Bob Marley, and part himself. Mix it all together and it was an infectiously sounding and wonderfully festive event.

Canton might as well have been Cancun. Moon wore an Hawiian-style shirt and shorts, beach hat and no shoes. Many times he was hoisting a plastic cup and taking sips between verses. He smiled incessantly while espousing the positivity and power of music.

The crisp and warm late summer night fit the vacation and island vibe perfectly. Nearly 2,000 people attended the concert.

A sampling of concertgoers gave the event rave reviews. Music lovers said they would come back for another show. Logistics also worked without any glitches, said Sherer and Blake Schilling, general manager of the city-owned Canton Memorial Civic Center, which is managed by ASM Global. Schilling oversees and books Centennial Plaza.

Asked to sum up the concert afterwards, Schilling said: “Perfect. People were very happy.”

Most attendees were from Stark County, but others traveled from Rocky River, Cuyahoga Falls, Youngstown and other areas. A Moon superfan drove from North Carolina. Concertgoers helped sell out the DoubleTree hotel downtown, Sherer said.

There was a noticeable police presence. Canton police were assisted by multiple law enforcement agencies in the area, Sherer said, including the Stark County Sheriff’s Office.

The plaza was packed but there was room to move around. Business was booming at Jerzee’s Cafe, with more than 20 bartenders mixing and pouring drinks. Downtown streets were blocked off to manage the concert crowd. Concertgoers could enter downtown from one of four security checkpoints, where metal detectors were operated. Private security was also hired for the event.

“It’s a great night,” said Chris Maggiore, owner of Jerzee’s. “It’s a great crowd. I think tonight’s a great start.

“It’s amazing,” he added. “People are just having a great time. Blake (Schilling) did a great job. Logistically, it needed to be shown this can be done at a high level with a national artist. It’s a team effort (with the mayor and city).”

Sherer described the security approach as a “controlled environment.”

Arcadia Grill also was serving food and drinks outside the restaurant, which is adjacent to the plaza. Two food trucks were parked on Market Avenue N next to the entertainment space.

Bring on Travis Tritt

Many concertgoers were attending a Centennial Plaza event for the first time.

That included Meredith Self, 55, and Liz Davis, 54, both of Jackson Township.

The friends had seen Moon perform at The Country Fest in June at Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park in Lawrence Township.

Although Davis attends country music shows at Blossom Music Center and other large venues, she said she enjoys smaller settings like Centennial Plaza.

Davis and Self would both love to see more national country artists play the plaza. Davis suggested Travis Tritt.

Self said the concerts are a great idea.

“I think they do things like this to benefit the community,” said Self, a teahcer at Edison Middle School in Perry Township. “And it’s a good thing.”

Judy Shannon, 59, of Canton, said the venue is ideal because “there’s not a bad place to stand or sit.”

“I look forward to coming again,” she said. “I hope they bring more (musical acts). This is great. They need more for Canton.”

Shannon’s friend, Kim Burris, 59, said she would enjoy seeing country music stars like Jason Aldean or Cody Jinx perform at Centennial Plaza, but she admitted with a smile that’s probably not realistic.

Family event

Jessica and Frank Heinselman made the trip from Youngstown.

The entire family was in tow − Frank Jr., 6; Helena, 5; and Audrina, four months old. This was their first time in downtown Canton.

“My husband follows Niko Moon and knew he was playing here, and he’s a good family artist and a feel good music,” Jessica Heinselman said.

Frank Heinselman, 40, said the kids love Niko’s music.

“We have a boat and when we’re out in it, that’s all we play,” said Heinselman, who works at Aultman Hospital in Canton.

He was impressed with Centennial Plaza. “It’s nice and spacious,” the father said. “I like how they closed the whole downtown off.”

Danae McCarthy, 51, of Rocky River, brought her 10-year-old daughter, Stella, for her birthday gift.

“This was her surprise,” mom said of the concert.

Of the venue, Stella said: “It’s pretty and nice.”

Danae McCarthy said the plaza gives you a super close view of the stage.

“And it’s not a far walk to a bathroom,” she said. “It’s family friendly.”

Food and drinks are cheaper than Blossom

Dave Willmott, 55, of Cuyahoga Falls, was at the plaza for the first time.

He goes to a lot of concerts at Blossom Music Center.

“This is great,” Willmott said of Centennial Plaza. “This is super cool, and it’s super easy to get over here. I love it; it’s great that the stage is close and you can see all angles. There’s food, there’s drinks, and they’re cheap (compared to Blossom). I’d come back here.”

Deanna and Charlie Ward of Plain Township were having a good time, too.

“It’s beautiful,” she said of the concert space. “They need to promote it and bring more concerts.”

Niko Moon super fan

Christina Barham, 55, traveled from Charlotte, North Carolina.

She’s a superfan. Moon’s Canton show was the 13th time she’s seen the artist this year.

Barham had staked out a spot at Centennial Plaza several hours before showtime. Extending her arm, she grinned and displayed a Niko Moon-inspired tattoo.

She said it was well worth the more than seven-hour drive to Stark County. Moon’s positive music and message lift her spirits.

“It’s just his aura,” said Barham, a cake decorator at Costco. “It will take me away from my cares and put me in a happy place, and then it’s back to reality.”

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