University Circle Inc.’s YAY! Saturdays Family Programming Returns This July and August

Posted July 15, 2022 in Press Releases

Art, action and adventure are returning to Wade Oval this summer with YAY! Saturdays (YAY), a free children’s activity series presented by University Circle Inc. (UCI). YAY will run on six consecutive Saturdays, July 23 through August 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Each YAY event will feature workshops and excursions led by museum and educational partners in the Discovery Zone; fitness classes and yard games for K-8 students in the Shape-Up Zone; and live theater, music and dance performances in the Fan Zone. Healthy food and beverage options will be available for purchase.

“The community’s response to YAY has been nothing short of fantastic,” said David Robinson, Director of Events & Engagement at UCI. “It shows there is a real need for fun and enriching educational activities throughout the summer, and that’s exactly what we’re providing at YAY. Each week, families can chart a new adventure with rotating partners and entertainment. This year we’re excited to offer new workshops and activities from public partners like Cleveland Public Power, Cleveland Water and RTA.”

In addition to the programmed activities, YAY will once again have a special focus on literacy. Each week will begin with storytelling on the Kulas Community Stage. Families can also participate in 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 together. The books will change each week and will feature diverse authors and illustrators. In addition to the Story Walk, UCI’s early childhood education team is partnering with the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank and the Hershey Foundation to provide a curated selection of free books to event attendees.

Arin Miller-Tait, Director of Community Education at UCI, added “YAY is really focused on activities that engage parents and children, and are both fun and learning-focused. Reading aloud as a family is not only great for developing young minds, but there’s evidence that it strengthens family bonds and reduces parent stress. We want families to think of University Circle as a place they can come to and learn together, but we also want them to take that experience home with them.”

UCI thanks the following partners who will participate at YAY: Burning River Soccer Club, Center for Arts-Inspired Learning, the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cleveland Museum of Art, Ingenuity Cleveland, Mastery School of Hawken, The Music Settlement, Recess CLE, Sears think[box], and ZENworks Yoga.

Support for YAY is courtesy of Cleveland Public Power, Cleveland Water Department, Cleveland Water Pollution Control, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and Calhoun Funeral Homes and Cremation Service.

Registration for YAY is recommended but not required and can be completed online. For more information on YAY! Saturdays and to register, visit universitycircle.org/yay.