Third Annual YAY! Saturdays Family Programming Brings Art, Action and Adventure to Wade Oval

Posted July 06, 2023 in Press Releases

YAY! Saturdays (YAY), a free children’s activity series presented by University Circle Inc. (UCI), returns to Wade Oval for an exciting third season. YAY will run on four consecutive Saturdays, July 22 through Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Each YAY event features workshops and excursions led by museum and educational partners in the Discovery Zone; wellness activities and yard games for K-8 students in the Shape-Up Zone; and live theater, music and dance performances in the Fan Zone. New this summer, the first hour of every YAY will be sensory friendly. During that time, music and audio from the stage will be lowered while activity partners focus on slowed-down activities to provide extra care and time. Also new this summer, each week has its own theme which will resonate through the activities and entertainment planned for the day.

• July 22 - FOAM
• July 29 - CIRCUS
• August 5 – RECESS
• August 12 - PLAYHOUSE

“Innovation is a focus of YAY Saturdays not just during the event, but also in planning the series,” said David Robinson, Director of Events & Engagement for UCI. “UCI has been hard at work lining up new experiences for families including a new partnership with the nonprofit, CodeCreate, out of Chicago. These special opportunities will bring unique and memorable experiences for all who attend each week.”

In addition to the programmed activities, YAY has a special focus on literacy. Families can participate in a Story Walk® around Wade Oval. 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. Free books will be distributed at the event.

“As a Cleveland area transplant, I’m looking forward to experiencing my first YAY! Saturdays,” said Kate Borders, President of UCI. “I’m proud to be associated with an organization that provides educational workshops, wellness resources and cultural enrichment all through engaging activities at no cost to our community.”

Support for YAY is courtesy of Cleveland Public Power, Cleveland Water Department, Cleveland Water Pollution Control 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.