Jefferson Starship to bring 'Runaway Again Tour 2026' to Sugardale Fan Fest

Rock band Jefferson Starship will bring its “Runaway Again Tour 2026” to Canton on Aug. 5 with a free concert to kick off the 2026 Sugardale Fan Fest.

Jefferson Starship has earned three platinum albums and eight gold albums in its legendary history, along with numerous Top 40 Billboard singles, making the band one of the most successful groups in the rock music genre for more than half a century.

Founded by Paul Kantner in 1974, Jefferson Starship was conceived as a collective of musical adventurers who contributed to Kantner’s concept albums and rock classics. The band’s current lineup consists of David Freiberg, a founding member; drummer Donny Baldwin; keyboardist Chris Smith; guitarist Jude Gold; and singer/guitarist Cathy Richardson.

This current lineup has been together since 2012. They describe themselves as a family, with that sense of camaraderie shining through performances that have taken the group to venues across the globe.

The band still thrives on the spirit of exploration and adventure instilled by Kanter, who passed away in 2016.

“To me,” Gold said, “that ‘Paul Kantner thing’ – getting on a rocket ship and blasting off into the unknown – is the very essence of Jefferson Starship. And that spirit is very much alive in the band today.”

“When the opportunity came up to bring Jefferson Starship to Canton as part of this year’s Sugardale Fan Fest, we moved quickly,” said Jim Porter, president & CEO of the Hall of Fame. “This is a legendary band whose music transcends time and stays relevant across generations of loyal fans. We can’t wait for the Fan Fest audience to experience a one-of-a-kind show.”

Jefferson Starship will be performing from the Raising Cane’s concert stage at Sugardale Fan Fest, the family-friendly, interactive, outdoor festival featuring live entertainment, food offerings, sponsor activations and Hall of Famer appearances. Fan Fest provides patrons a uniquely immersive Hall of Fame experience. It is scheduled for Aug. 5-9, primarily in the main parking lot at Stadium Park in Canton.