Large oak trees shade much of the 11-acre park. Photo by Pam LeBlanc

Live music, dance and a scavenger hunt are all on tap Saturday at the grand re-opening of Waterloo Park in downtown Austin.

CommUNITY Day, an all-day, family-friendly celebration of the reimagined 11-acre downtown park, at 500 E. 12th Street, starts at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Moody Amphitheater, the outdoor venue at its heart. Admission is free.

The Moody Amphitheater is part of the reimagined Waterloo Park, which opens Saturday. Pam LeBlanc photo

Once the formalities are done, the performances begin. The Huston-Tillotson University President’s Jazz Ensemble, Ballet Folklorico de Austin, Elsewhere Dance Collective, Mariachi Los Coronelas, Tiarra Girls and SaulPaul will all take the stage between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. A bilingual story telling session, birds of prey demonstration and scavenger hunt for children are planned, and 20 organizations, from the Austin Rowing Club to Art From the Streets, will set up tables throughout the park.

I toured the new grounds a few months ago. Highlights? A cool playground, a curved and elevated boardwalk, a Hill Country garden featuring native plants, a patio shaded by giant oak trees, and plenty of space for spreading out.

A “Taste of Austin” concert will start at 7 p.m., featuring soul, Latin pop, drag, electronic, and hip hop performances. The lineup includes DJ Zetroc, Big Wy’s Brass Band, Gina Chavez, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Stephanie Bergara, Mélat, Bavu Blakes, Rapid Ric, Tameca Jones and Riders Against the Storm.

Parking for the event is available at the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage, 1201 San Jacinto Boulevard, and in State Garage F.

Pam LeBlanc zooms down a slide at Waterloo Park. Tori Robertson photo