University Circle Inc. Announces YAY! Saturdays,A Free Children’s Activity Series for Cleveland Families!
University Circle, Posted July 5th
April 14, 2021 (Cleveland, OH) – University Circle Inc. (UCI) is making arts, action, and adventure a part of Clevelanders’ weekend routines this summer with YAY! Saturdays (YAY). YAY is a new children’s activity series that will run on six consecutive Saturdays, June 12-July 17 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Activities are free, geared toward K-8 students and their families, and will take place on Wade Oval in University Circle.
Each YAY event will feature workshops and excursions led by museum and educational partners, fitness classes, yard games for K-8 students, and live theater, music, and dance performances. Activities and entertainment will take place in three different locations, or “zones” around Wade Oval. Healthy food and beverage options will be available for purchase.
“We’re thrilled to welcome families back to Wade Oval,” said Chris Ronayne, president of UCI. “Our team worked hard to plan an amazing event for the youngest members of our community and their families. When we talk about closing the opportunity gap during the summer months, this is what we mean – bringing great community partners and quality educational content together in one location and making sure it’s free, it’s fun, and it’s accessible to all.”
In addition to the programmed activities, YAY will have a special focus on literacy. Each week, children can enjoy a Story Walk around Wade Oval, courtesy of UCI’s Community Education department. Pages from children’s books will be printed on signs and placed at intervals to encourage families to walk around and read the stories. The books will change each week and will feature Black authors and illustrators. In addition to the Story Walk, UCI has partnered with the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank and other organizations to provide free books to event attendees.
All YAY events will have COVID-19 and other precautions in place to ensure the safety of participants. Masks are required at all times for those aged two and older, except when consuming food and drink. Hand sanitation stations will be placed throughout Wade Oval, seating will be spaced, and the number of participants allowed in some activities will be limited to ensure proper social distancing.
Registration for YAY is recommended but not required and can be completed online. When registering, families may choose between a morning or afternoon session and sign up for activities with limited
space, such as the guided fitness classes. If families cannot register in advance, they will have the opportunity to do so upon arrival.
“Wade Oval programs are typically styled as ‘come and go as you please’ but for the inaugural year of YAY, we’re implementing a registration process to help ensure the safety and health of our participants,” said David Robinson, manager of business services at UCI. “After you check-in upon arrival, the Oval is yours to enjoy and explore. We and our partners are thrilled to offer Saturday mornings at Wade Oval as a new part of your family’s weekend routine.”
UCI would like to thank the following partners who will participate in the inaugural year of YAY: 10K Movement, Center for Arts-Inspired Learning, the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, DevahD Cycling, Footpath Foundation, Great Lakes Science Center, Hawken School, Ingenuity Cleveland, Karamu House, Literary Cleveland, Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, One to One Fitness at Case Western Reserve University, Rainey Institute, Sears think[box], Talespinner Children’s Theater, The Music Settlement, and ZENworks Yoga.
YAY is a part of UCI’s Your Community initiative, focused on instilling unity in our community. Your Community utilizes engaging, educational summer programs to addresses the opportunity gap that persists in Greater Cleveland between children of lower-income families and their higher-income peers.
For more information on YAY! Saturdays and to learn how to register for tickets, visit universitycircle.org/saturdays.
For more information about UCI’s Your Community initiative, visit universitycircle.org/yourcommunity.
About University Circle Inc.
University Circle Inc. (UCI) is the community service corporation responsible for developing, serving, and advocating for University Circle as a vibrant and complete neighborhood without borders.
