Wade Oval Private Rentals

Wade Oval is one of northeast Ohio's premier public spaces, home to events year-round like WOW! Wade Oval Wednesdays, Parade the Circle & Circle Village, and The Rink at Wade Oval. It is also available to the public for private use.

Wade Oval can accomodate events with 10,000+ attendees to small gatherings of a few dozen. Pricing for Wade Oval is dependent upon event size, setup, and duration of time.

The Kulas Community Stage is a concrete semi-circle surface 100' wide by 20' deep perfect for an intimate tented reception with built in floor to withstand inclement weather. 

Wade Oval is bordered by the Cleveland History Center, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Botanical Garden, and The Cleveland Museum of Art. Each institution offers various paid parking options. Please contact them directly to confirm rates and hours. 

Please note that City of Cleveland and CDC COVID guidelines for gatherings & events will be followed throughout 2023.

Process to Apply

• Before applying, contact events@universitycircle.org to see if your date is available 
  
  
• Please allow 24-48 hours for a reply to confirm your date
  
  
• Renter must submit a completed application 30 days prior to the event date
  
  
• For out of the area renters, keep in mind a site visit is typically required well in advance of your event date 
  
  
• Your date is only reserved for a limited period of time until UCI receives a security deposit payment 
  
  
• All event rentals must provide a Certificate of Insurance to UCI
  
  
• Please read Private Rental Terms & Conditions below before applying.

Contact Events  Apply for Use of Wade Oval  DOWNLOAD WADE OVAL MAP

*Please read the Private Rental Terms & Conditions prior to applying.

Private Rental Terms & Conditions

University Circle Inc. (UCI) requires the following to use Wade Oval for special events. Information below includes rules & regulations as well as requirements for usage.

• Renter is defined as an individual, organization, corporation, or group that applies for private event use of Wade Oval Park located at 10820 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.
  
  
• UCI books many events on Wade Oval so Renter must wait for approval before advertising, promoting, or sharing any event information linked to Wade Oval.
  
  
• Renter must provide UCI with an insurance certificate evidencing liability insurance coverage with a $1,000,000 combined single limit, naming University Circle Inc. as additional insured and promising to indemnify UCI and to comply with all applicable laws, statutes ordinances, and regulations.
  
  
• Renter must provide UCI with an estimated attendance.

• Renter must provide their own equipment (tents, tables, chairs, portajohns, etc.) and notify UCI with the names of the vendors they will be using. 

• Renter must notify UCI as to when event set up/take down will take place. A UCI representative may be on site during event set up and take down.

• Renter must provide a complete description of their set up (all tents, tables, chairs, port-a-johns, generators, fencing, etc) as well as the dates and times of their set up and take down. 

• No vehicles can drive on the grass during set up or take down.
  
  
• No vehicles are allowed to be on the Oval during the event. All vehicles must be parked off of the Oval.
  
  
• No vehicles can park in the Cleveland Botanical Garden driveway at any time during set up, take down, or during the events without prior approval from Cleveland Botanical Garden.
  

Fees and Costs

• Daily Rental Fee is based on size of the event and set up.  Please note that each day you use Wade Oval you will be charged a rental fee. You must let UCI know if you plan to set up or take down the day prior to your event or the day after your event.  
  
  
• The rental fee and any other charges will be billed after the event.
  
  
• Extra fees that may be charged include but are not limited to: fees for marking the irrigation sites for tent installation (price can range depending on number and size of tents), charge for supervision of staking tents, charge for an electric or water connection and usage, charge for any necessary clean up after the event, charge for any damage to the property/landscaping/irrigation lines, etc. Fees for use of UCI’s electrical equipment.
  
  
• A Security deposit of $250 is required to hold the date. UCI to refund in whole or part depending on any necessary deductions for any costs incurred by UCI as a result of the event.
  
  
• You may have to pay for any additional costs incurred by UCI that may exceed the security deposit and accept full responsibility for repairing all damages to the Wade Oval Park.

Rentals, Equipment, & Vendors

• UCI reserves the right to not allow certain vendors who have damaged property in the past.
  
  
• UCI requires a list and description of all equipment being brought to Wade Oval for your event. Note that you are responsible for obtaining all necessary City of Cleveland permits for any tents, staging, street closures, etc.
  
  
• Renter is responsible for all rentals at all times. UCI staff cannot sign for rentals on renter's behalf. UCI is not responsible for rentals or equipment left unattended. 
  
  
• If you are seeking a local or diverse-owned vendor or supplier, please contact UCI for recommendations.

Safety & Event Size

All events that are expecting over 100 people require onsite security and the plan must be submitted to UCI at least 30 days prior to the event date and approved by the Chief of Police. The University Circle Police Department (UCPD) has off duty police officers for special events.

You will be required to utilize the UCPD for all security needs unless other arrangements are agreed upon with the UCPD ahead of the event. Please note that they are scheduled at a 4-hour minimum at $40 per hour (price as of July 2022. Please confirm pricing for your event date).

City of Cleveland Health & Fire Departments

If selling or making any food you must obtain all necessary City of Cleveland Health Permits and notify UCI with your food plans one month prior to the event.

If planning to use propane or charcoal, you need to obtain the necessary City of Cleveland Fire Department permits for hazardous materials. No open fires allowed.

Alcohol Usage & Sales

Alcohol usage & sales are strictly prohibited without expressed permission from UCI and UCPD. If approved to sell or serve alcohol, you must obtain the necessary permit from the State of Ohio Division of Liquor Control and provide UCI with a copy. UCPD will have to sign off as the Chief Peace Officers. Please plan to submit to UCPD at least 45 days prior to the event so that you can submit to the State 30 days prior to the event. You must also provide UCI with a security plan including how you will section off the area where alcohol will be served. 

Garbage & Waste Removal

You are responsible for cleaning and removing all rubbish from the premises immediately after the event. If planning for a large event, please provide a detailed cleanup plan and where dumpsters will be placed.

Release and Waivers

Upon application submission, vendor/business/individual releases all rights or claims in connection with all photo(s)/videotape collected at Wade Oval. If your event is open to the public, the aforementioned material may be used for promotional purposes and you agree to waive any right to inspection or approval over the finished photos and/or advertising copy. All photographs, negatives and videotapes and other materials will be the sole property of University Circle Inc. 

Through submission of this application, you forever discharge any and all rights, and claims for damages, demands, or actions which you may have or may hereafter accrue against University Circle Inc., City of Cleveland, UCI vendors, affiliate organizations and its affiliated owners, volunteers, and all other related entities for any damage to personal belongings or merchandise and for all injuries suffered, even death, in connection with your rental of Wade Oval, including but not limited to marketing, set-up, event attendance, breakdown, and clean-up.  

If you would like UCI to help promote your event by listing it on the UCI website calendar or for other paid marketing opportunities contact the Events Team.