For many years the highlight of the social life of Canton was its “Day Off”.
Today we celebrate “Canton Day Off” every year the third weekend in August.
During the final of the nineteenth century, the Ladies Aid Society of the Church of the Assumption, sponsored a church supper on August 15th which is the feast day of the Assumption in the Catholic liturgy. In 1903, the leader of the Canton bank, Percy Young, offered to bring the band to entertain during the dinner. The following year, the celebration moved downtown and on August 15, 1904, the whole town sponsored a day long festival the first “Day Off.” By the first world war, Canton’s “Day Off” had become a regional event and special trains were run to bring in out-of-town visitors. Festivities were increased to include county championship baseball games, speakers, merry-go-rounds, aerialist acts, and evening dances at the town hall. Annual “Day Off” celebrations were held in Canton for over 50 years. The last “Day Off” celebration was held on August 15, 1955.
2024 Canton Day Off Grand Marshal’s
2024 Canton Day Off Grand Marshals are Tom Davis, Vernon Zafft, Marc Prestby, Jon Nordsving, Cindy Duckett, Donivee Johnson and Cindy Shanks.
Each was selected because of their long-time involvement in Canton and/or Canton Day Off either in business, city government, city employee and lifelong residents. They are all loyal and dedicated Canton residents and city employee. When asked to help, they have all stepped up and said “yes” and have made Canton a better place to live.
Tom Davis has lived in Canton for more than 60 years. Tom is a Dirt Contractor and owns Davis Construction, which was started by Tom Sr. and Helen in 1956. He is married to Barb and has 2 children – Jim and Jennie. His mother (Helen) and brother (Bill) also live in Canton.
Cindy Caldwell Duckett has lived in Canton all her life. In 1975, Helen Dotzenrod asked if she would be in charge of the Canton Day Off parade for the Bicentennial and she’s been involved in our annual celebration ever since in one way or another. She was also one of the original people who organized weekly bingo, which is our biggest fundraiser for Canton Day Off. Cindy says to “Let the Good Times Roll!” Cindy is married to Ross and has 2 daughters – Deb Johnson and Teresa Hershberger, and 5 grandchildren.
Donivee Johnson has lived in Canton for over 70 years. Donivee has worked as a convenience store manager, postal worker, City Treasurer for 6 years, Canton City Council member for 28 years, and served 24 years as Mayor of Canton. She is also a Session member of the Canton-Scotland Presbyterian Church. Her favorite memory of Canton Day Off is the midway and circus animals they had in the past. She remembers elephants that were very big, and she was small.
Marc Prestby has lived in Canton for 65 years (his entire life). Marc was on the Canton Fire Dept for 24 years, served on the Canton City Council for 8 years, is the current Fillmore County Commissioner and has owned Prestby Auction Service for 45 years. He is also the original caller for weekly bingo when we started bingo 14 years ago! He has also been a BBQ judge and auctioneer for Canton Day Off.
Jon Nordsving doesn’t live in Canton (he lives in Lenora – which is a suburb of Canton, ha-ha) but he has been the City of Canton Public works director for 21 years. He is currently the longest serving Canton Firemen with 20 years of service and was Fire Chief for 8 of those years. He has worked at the Canton Day Off Beer Tent (for years) and always makes sure the garbage is cleaned up. He is our “go-to person” when we need something done. His favorite memory is helping with the fireworks! Jon is married to Sheila, and they have 2 sons – Lucas and Nathan.
Cindy Shanks has lived in Canton since 1979 (she grew up near Lenora). Cindy has been volunteering for Canton Day Off since 1979 (Bicentennial year), she is one of the original weekly bingo organizers and is currently the President of Canton Community Association (which organizes the annual Canton Day Off celebration). She also served on the Canton City Council for many years. She has great memories of all the Canton Day Off celebrations. Cindy is married to Mike, and they have 2 children – Jason (Amy Shanks) and Amy (Chad) Wangen, and 3 grandchildren.
Vernon Zafft has lived in Canton for over 50 years. He grew up on what is now Shady Acres Amish gardens. He graduated from Mabel-Canton school. He is the owner of ZZ Tap and has attended all the Canton Day Off events over the years. Every Wednesday night, ZZ Tap hosts bingo which is the biggest fundraiser for Canton Day Off. Vernon’s significant other is Kim Alderman, and he has 2 sons – Lance and Dustin, daughter Peyton and 5 grandchildren.
