A Bittersweet Farewell to Summer Saturdays 2024
As the final Summer Saturday wraps up for 2024, we can't help but reflect on the wonderful times we've shared with all of you this season. Hosting these events alongside The Wild Ramp has been a joy, and we're incredibly grateful for the memories we've made together.
A special thank you goes out to The Wild Ramp Team, who were the heart and soul behind this year’s Summer Saturdays. Their dedication brought together an incredible group of volunteers, vendors, and local bands that made each Saturday feel like a celebration of community spirit. We’re also deeply appreciative of Cicada Books & Coffee for offering coffee vouchers to our yoga participants—your brews kept the mornings energized!
And of course, none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our sponsors: Xfinity-Comcast, OVP-Healthcare, and Marshall Rec Center. Your contributions have been instrumental in bringing this vibrant event series to life in Central City.
To give you a peek behind the scenes, Rebecca Gray (photographed above with Kristen Blankenship), Vice President of the Central City Association, Market Director for the Wild Ramp, and one of the key organizers, shared her thoughts on the event. “My role was to coordinate instructors and connect all the little pieces,” she said. “But really, it was a team effort. Lauren handled fundraising, Kristen took charge of vendors and volunteers, and everyone just came together beautifully.”
When asked about the highlights of the season, Rebecca expressed her excitement over the attendance for Tai Chi and Yoga with Kyle. “It was fantastic to see so many people turn out, enjoy their coffee, and stick around to mingle. The grilled watermelon and street corn from The Wild Ramp's Harvest Kitchen were also huge hits!”
Rebecca also noted the positive impact Summer Saturdays had on the Central City Antiques District. “We saw a significant uptick in sales for local businesses, and it was wonderful to hear how much people appreciated having events in the West End.”
Looking ahead, Rebecca hinted at even more variety for next year’s Summer Saturdays, with plans for themed yoga sessions, additional kids' activities, and hopefully, even inflatables and more vendors!
Local resident for the past 7 years, Emily Crump, also shared her experience with the event series. “I found myself getting used to this and making a routine out of it,” she said, laughing. “Summer Saturdays was the star of the month with yoga, delicious bagel brunches at Cicada, and chatting with pals while listening to live music and shopping with vendors. We were so lucky to have those days and I'll be waiting impatiently for next year!”
While we’re sad to see Summer Saturdays come to an end, we’re already buzzing with ideas for 2025. Contribute $5 TODAY to help support next year Summer Saturday events!
