Wade Oval Wonderful

 

Wade oval Wednesdays are back!  Summer is officially here.  Threatening skies and even an erroneous tornado warning could not keep us away from University Circle tonight.... 

It was a near-perfect evening, complete with a picnic eaten under an impromptu rain tent, a prize wheel to spin, horses and dogs and giant ketchup, mustard and onion characters to meet, and friends to play and talk with. 

I love so much about Wade Oval Wednesdays. Tonight marked the beginning of the 10th year for this giant community picnic.  It is one of the most diverse gatherings around, with people from all neighborhoods, East Cleveland to the suburbs, gathering around blankets and coolers and foldable tables, a loose ring around the stage where the band du jour provides a communal focus.  Food tents make for a walking destination, a reason to circulate, to see and be seen.  Dogs are welcomed and abound.  And then there is the green space, the gentle roll of the Oval, a canvas for every possible game of chase or catch. Children tearing about, frisbee a everywhere, deliciously dangerous to walk through; surprisingly safe, with its easy sight lines, to let little ones wander to their hearts content. 

Tonight Jack and Ivy ran across the field and over to the seed sculptures, on their own.  We stayed on the blanket and watched and held our breath a little as they went.  It seemed terribly far.  We watched as Jack stopped Ivy at the curb, as he looked both ways before leading her across the the driveway and into the crowd of climbing children.  We listened to music and talked and lounged on the grass as our children played confidently on their own, mixing in with children they'd never met, so happy.

They came back a bit later for more spinning, Nat swinging each child into the air in turn, Jack and Ivy and Naomi and Lillian and Finn and Hadley.  Not one but two families from Boulevard joined us on the field.  Jack was in his element, tackling and running and chatting with his friends.  

And then the giant hot dogs showed up.  Ivy dropped everything and ran when she spotted Ketchup, running across the field, eyes alight, so excited to give a high five to him.  And then Miss Onion, whose purse Ivy borrowed for a minute. And then Mustard, who before long was being chased, and eventually tackled to the ground by a troupe of children, Jack among them.  Nothing like giant anthropomorphic condiments to draw a crowd. The children were having so. Much. Fun.  And I enjoyed talking with the other moms, showing off my dog, taking in the view.  I don't think we even noticed the drizzle by that point. 

This is why I love Wade Oval Wednesdays.