University Circle Celebrates the Season with YAY! Fall Fun Festival

Posted on 10/21/24 by Nicole in Fall in the Circle

University Circle’s first-ever YAY! Fall Fun event turned Wade Oval into a bustling fall festival, drawing families from across Northeast Ohio for a day packed with creativity, play, and community connection. Held on a beautiful October afternoon, the event offered everything from interactive art zones to live performances, all with a warm, seasonal touch that celebrated the best of autumn.

Children and parents alike enjoyed a variety of themed activity zones, each hosted by one of University Circle’s renowned cultural institutions. The Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Cleveland Museum of Art were just a few of the partners that provided unique hands-on activities, while the Greater Cleveland Aquarium and Cleveland Metroparks brought interactive nature displays that sparked curiosity about the environment. From building robots with Hathaway Brown’s Fighting Unicorns to creating custom art prints with Zygote Press, families had endless opportunities to learn, play, and discover together.

The Kulas Stage kept the energy high with performances from local favorites, including Talespinner Children’s Theater, The Music Settlement, and 10K Movement. Guests danced along to upbeat music, watched exciting live demonstrations, and enjoyed theatrical performances that brought stories to life in the heart of the festival.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the family-friendly Costume Parade. Children and adults alike showed off their imaginative outfits, adding a splash of fun and festivity. Families who pre-registered for the parade received swag bags packed with fall surprises, making for a memorable experience and rewarding their creativity.

The day ended with a special outdoor showing of Hocus Pocus on the Kulas Stage.

YAY! Fall Fun celebrated not only the season but also the incredible partnerships and community spirit that make University Circle a special place. This one-day event, evolved from the weekly YAY! Saturdays summer series marks a new chapter for family-focused programming in the Circle. With a fantastic turnout and overwhelmingly positive feedback, we can’t wait to bring more unique experiences like this to the community in the future.

Food vendors included local favorites such as Patterson Fruit Farm, You Enjoy My Donuts, Manna, Odd Dog Coffee, and Kernel's by Chrissie.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to our incredible partners who made this day possible. We hope YAY! Fall Fun becomes an annual tradition, bringing families together to celebrate fall in the heart of Cleveland!

A special thank you to our sponsors, Cleveland Public Power, Cleveland Water, Cleveland Water Pollution Control, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, The Hershey Foundation, The Kulas Foundation, Meisel & Pesses Family Foundation, and PPG.