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OH WOW! birthday bash leads week of downtown Youngstown events

OH WOW! Children’s Center celebrates its 15th Birthday Bash Saturday with BOGO admission, exhibits, reptile experience and family activities in downtown Youngstown.
OH WOW! Children’s Center celebrates its 15th Birthday Bash Saturday with BOGO admission, exhibits, reptile experience and family activities in downtown Youngstown. OH WOW! Children’s Center

Youngstown’s downtown event calendar is packed this week with family fun, local shopping, live entertainment and community activities — led by a milestone celebration for one of the city’s most beloved destinations.

OH WOW! Children’s Center will celebrate its 15th Birthday Bash on Saturday with family activities, special exhibits and discounted admission, while downtown also hosts the Youngstown Flea, a plant swap fundraiser, the Downtown Youngstown Farmers Market and the launch of the new Move at the Market walking series.

OH WOW! celebrates 15 years with annual Birthday Bash

OH WOW! Children’s Center will celebrate its 15th Birthday Bash from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the children’s center downtown.

The celebration will feature buy-one-get-one-free admission all day, free Panera pastries for the first 200 guests, the Komara Outdoors Reptile Experience from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a Youngstown Model Railroad Association display and AMP Shaved Ice on Central Square.

Move at the Market walking series launches Thursday

The Healthy Community Partnership, Mercy Health Stepping Out Program, Youngstown State University Campus Recreation, Bikeshare Youngstown, Thrive Mahoning Valley and YoGo Bike Share will launch the new Move at the Market walking series at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Downtown Youngstown Farmers Market at the Main branch of The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County.

Participants will meet in front of the Main Branch of The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County for a one-mile walk through downtown before returning to the market. The first 20 walkers will receive $5 vouchers redeemable at the market. Registration is encouraged but not required.

The market is 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Additional Downtown Events

Friday

Latin Night — 9 p.m., The Social

Country Line Dancing — 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Penguin City Brewing Company

Saturday

Youngstown Flea — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Youngstown Flea

Rebel Rescue Ranch 3rd Annual Plant Swap Fundraiser — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Penguin City Brewing Co.; $10 donation to participate. Guests are encouraged to bring at least six plant “starts” and may exchange up to 20 total plants.

Live Wire (Motley Crue Tribute) & Space Frehley (Ace Frehley Kiss Tribute) — 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Penguin City Brewing Company

Live Music: Ruby – Mountain Soul — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Noble Creature Wild Ales & Lagers

Sunday

BYOB Brunch — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Penguin City Brewing Company

Mother’s Day Brunch — 11 a.m., Twisted Roots

Tuesday

Workshop: Writing Through Grief — 6 p.m., Main Library, 305 Wick Ave.

R&B Bingo — 8 p.m. to midnight, Twisted Roots

Thursday

The Hope Conference — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Covelli Centre

Young Friends Adventure 2026 — 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Butler Institute of American Art

Pop Up on Phelps — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Phelps Street Gateway

Food for Thought Book Discussion — 5:30 p.m., Noble Creature Wild Ales & Lagers

Community Game Night — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Penguin City Brewing Company

Thirsty Thursday Karaoke — 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Penguin City Brewing Company

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, a partner in advancing downtown redevelopment, said it continues to help connect businesses and organizations so local retailers, restaurants and bars can prepare for the city’s growing schedule of events.