University Times

Tickets go on sale April 5 for the first community-wide Oakland Forever celebration, which will feature entertainment, art vendors, carnival rides, food and family-friendly activities 4-9 p.m. April 12 on Schenley Plaza and in the central Oakland business district.

Designed to foster community pride, Oakland Forever aims to bring together Oakland residents, students, commuters, businesses and institutions in what organizers hope will become an annual event.

Among the family-oriented attractions will be a ferris wheel, an interactive exhibit by Pitt Athletics and a Mr. Rogers-themed exhibit by the Children’s Museum, said Kannu Sahni, Pitt director of Community Relations.

This year’s celebration also features the “A Taste of Oakland” food tour, 4-6 p.m., in which restaurants offer samples at multiple stops throughout the Oakland business district.

Collaborating in the planning for Oakland Forever are the Oakland Task Force, Community Human Services, Oakland Transportation Management Association and the Oakland Business Improvement District. Pitt and UPMC are among the event sponsors.

Sahni said this year’s event will be a precursor for a larger one next year that will align with the 175th anniversary of the naming of Oakland.

In addition to fostering community pride, the event is intended to raise funds for Oakland beautification projects.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens and $5 for children 12 and under. The admission price includes an event wristband, T-shirt and map.

Advance tickets will be available at the William Pitt Union and the Carnegie Mellon University Center. On the day of the event, tickets can be purchased at the Hilton Garden Inn University Place and on Schenley Plaza.

More information on the event is available at http://oaklandforever.org.

—Kimberly K. Barlow