It was a good Memorial Day trip up to the Akron-Canton, Ohio region.

About the only negative was that the mosquitoes were biting! And they must love me as I’m a pretty good sized target.

One of my discoveries was that the Junior World Championship of America Football (www.usafootball.com/jwc) will be played at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium starting Saturday June 27 ending with the championship game played on Sunday July 5.

There will eight teams from Canada, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden, France and the U.S. competing in a week full of games.

The stadium is located adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame (www.profootballhof.com) so you can combine history with plenty of gridiron action.

Canton is home to nationally known venues like the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the First Ladies’ National Historic Site and the William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, along with many hidden treasures in our surrounding the Stark County communities.

You will find world-class art with small-town flavor in our art galleries, theatres and museums, as well as incredible shopping in our unique boutiques and delicious cuisine from around the globe in our many local restaurants.

Canton is about a four hour drive from Huntington, W.Va., via Interstates 64 and 77. I-77 actually takes you past the stadium and HOF.

It is also located one hour south of Cleveland and is the northern gateway to Ohio’s Amish Country, conveniently situated along the I-77, U.S. 30 and U.S. 62 highways.

For true sports fan the timing of this event couldn’t be better as the Cincinnati Reds play a 3 game series with the Cleveland Indians starting on Friday evening June 26.

Add the attractions of the Greater Cleveland (www.positivelycleveland.com) and Akron (a www.visitakron-summit.org) areas and you’ll have plenty of sights to select from.

For coaster enthusiasts, Ohio’s roller coast haven better known as Cedar Point (www.cedarpoint.com) is only two hours away.

Make plans now to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Canton, and see for yourself why our region is known as “America’s Playing Field!” You can get more information from the Canton-Stark County Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.visitcantonstark.com) or call toll free (800) 552-6051.

Be sure to browse the areas’ visitors’ bureaus websites for coupons and special offers on hotel, attraction, dining and much more. They should also have some touring ideas and itineraries posted.

Happy travels!