The 15th annual Celebrate Youth Festival returns as an in-person event this year on Thursday, August 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wheeling Park. Local non-profit organization Youth Services System, Inc. (YSS) hosts the yearly free event as a way to give back to the community.
Everything at Celebrate Youth is free for all attendees, including back-to-school supplies, community resources, food, games, inflatables, and park activity wristbands for the pool, paddle boats and mini-golf.
“After a 2-year hiatus, Celebrate Youth is back at Wheeling Park on Thursday, August 4 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.,” said YSS Special Events Coordinator Holly Fox. “As in the past, there will be free park wristbands that will be distributed at the putt-putt golf/boat and pool areas. We’ll also have plenty of free food including hot dogs, DeFelice Bros. pizza, nachos, chips, popcorn and drinks.”
Fox continues, “Nearly 50 exhibitors will be set up in the ice-skating rink area, offering school supplies, resources, interactive crafts, games, face painting, and a lollipop tree where kids can win prizes. Bounce houses from Tripp’s Fun Zone will be available near the Amphitheater. We hope to see everyone there!”
Celebrate Youth operated in a limited fashion during the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Attendees were invited to “drive-thru” and receive bags full of school supplies, while community resources were shared digitally. With the theme of “Welcome Back”, this year’s Celebrate Youth Festival looks to continue the tradition of a community-wide free event for all.
YSS is grateful for this year’s community sponsors – WTRF, Cornerstone Group, DeFelice Bros. Pizza, Lamar, Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration, and Wheeling Park.
Learn more about YSS and the Celebrate Youth Festival by visiting youthservicessystem.org.