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change in the usual date did nothing to keep the faithful way from the annual Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks and Balloon Classic Invitational.

The event is the first of many held in Stark County leading up to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.

Despite the date change, large crowds turned out on both Friday and Saturday for the food, fun, live music and the crowd favorite, hot air balloons.

With 23 food vendors filling the area at the Kent State Stark campus, participants could choose just about any type of food for dinner. The fare included gyros, onion rings, ribs, burgers, corn-on-the-cob, hot dogs and giant turkey legs.

Chris Spradlin from Barberton tried one of those giant roasted turkey legs. He and his family came to enjoy the food and the balloons.

“I grew up in Perry Township, so I used to come to this event when I was a kid but this is the first time for my wife and daughter,” he said. “We came to enjoy the food and to watch the balloons.”

The Spradlin family came on Friday evening when the weather and the winds prohibited the balloons from taking off.

The Berringer family from Akron was on hand Friday evening to see the hot air balloon show. They brought lawn chairs, blankets and jackets in preparation for the long haul in hopes of seeing the balloons lift off or to see the Night Glow event at dusk, when many balloons light up while remaining on the ground.

“We come every year and have a lot of fun,” said Don Berringer.

In addition to the food and the balloons, the event offered a children's area with inflatables, there was a stage with live music and to top it all off, fireworks on Saturday night. Bands performing over the two days included Brighter Side, Wilde West Band, Buckle Down sponsored by Red Dog Saloon, Messy Face, OFHUMAN and Downplay.

“The biggest thing this year was the timing,” said Ashley Winter, administrative assistant at the Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce.

According to Winter, the event was scheduled a week earlier due to a date conflict with the Balloon Classic.

“As always, we hope for great weather, good food, good music and a sense of community with all of Stark County coming together to have fun,” she said. “We welcome the families that attend every year and those first-timers too.”