A youth fair complete with fire engine and police car displays, as well as K-9 dogs, will be one of the many highlights of "Youth Day at the Yale Bowl" on Saturday, Oct. 26. On that day, hundreds of children from youth groups throughout Connecticut, including many from New Haven, will spend a day at the Bowl to take part in or watch sports competitions, school band performances and cheerleading squads, as well as enjoy the opportunity to meet Yale athletes. The activities have been scheduled around the Yale vs. Columbia football game at 1 p.m., which is the main event of the afternoon.
On Youth Day, children age 14 and under will be admitted to the Yale Bowl free of charge. At 9 a.m., they'll have the opportunity to watch two local youth football teams compete in a Pop Warner game or to participate in Yale athlete-run sports clinics in soccer, lacrosse, basketball, hockey and track. A soccer competition begins at 10:30 a.m., and at 11 a.m., pre-selected finalists for a football "Pass- Kick" contest among New Haven youth will compete. Youngsters can also opt to watch Yale take on Columbia in a field hockey game at 11 a.m.
Bands and cheerleading squads from area high schools will perform during the Yale-Columbia match, and afterward youngsters will be able to meet the Yale football players. The young sports fans can also watch Yale take on Columbia in soccer at 7 p.m. "Youth Day is a wonderful opportunity to bring together youth from New Haven and across the state to enjoy fun and exciting activities," says Tim Ford, assistant director of athletics. "The event has gotten bigger and better every year, and I think it will be a wonderful time for all those in attendance."
This year, the number of youth groups requesting to attend the event has doubled, Mr. Fords says. All youth who do attend must be accompanied by an adult or with a youth group chaperone. Children will receive commemorative pom poms.
For more information, call the Athletics Department at 432- 7413.