Boyertown Wellness Fair offers fun fitness activities and more

Promoting health and wellness was the focus of the 18th annual Boyertown Wellness Fair. The event Saturday at Boyertown Area High School was presented by the Wellness Council of Boyertown.

“The Wellness Fair is a give-back type of community event, just to bring people out, bring people together,” organizer Jeff Shontz said.

Shontz, owner of Bear’s Den Fitness, 400 E. Second St., serves on the board of the council, an arm of Boyertown Area Multi-Service.

The day started with the annual Impact Walk on the high school’s outdoor track.

This year’s theme was kindness. Participants had a chance to explore kindness activities and challenges as they made their way around the track.

The walk was followed by the Running of the Bears, also on the track.

About 70 children and family members from three of the district’s elementary schools competed to see which school could tally the most laps and take home the traveling trophy known as Healthy Bear.

Boyertown Elementary students beat those from Washington and Earl elementary schools, winning the event for the third consecutive year, said Colin Zander, the school’s physical education teacher.

Zander said he encouraged his students to join the event.

“It’s a chance to get some fresh air, run around and have some fun,” he said.

The teacher was out on the track motivating the students and running right alongside them. But his loyalties were divided.

“I was running for Washington, that’s where my kids go,” he said.

The healthy activities were not just for children.

Older community members had a chance to get some indoor exercise and win prizes at the Senior Walking Bingo event.

The competition took place in the high school hallways, where bingo-card carrying seniors followed a course marked with arrows. They dabbed their cards as numbers were called out along the way.

In the final competition of the day, six elementary students faced off for the title of Kids Celebrity Chef.

Students were challenged to come up with a healthy recipe.

The six finalists were selected from about 60 entries.

Their concoctions were tasted and judged by a panel of local celebrities, including Boyertown Mayor Lori Carnes.

Judges were in an unenviable position as they had to choose from the following entries:

• Broccoli-topped smashed potatoes made by Elliana Bradely, 9, a fourth-grader at Colebrookdale Elementary.

• Zucchini pizza bites by Piper Miller, 9, a fourth-grader at Gilbertsville Elementary.

• Super Superbowl chili by Owen McHugh, 9, a third-grader at New Hanover Upper Frederick Elementary.

• Mushroom marinade by Cameron Miller, 10, a fifth-grader at Washington Elementary.

• Broccoli bites with cheddar cheese by Jason Buck, 6, a first-grader at Earl Elementary.

• Em’s berry pie oats by Emma Bahasa, 11, a fifth-grader at Boyertown Elementary.

Bahasa said her family often serves blueberry pie on special occasions.

BBahasa said she came up with a healthier, no-added-sugar version of the dessert because diabetes runs in her family.

The wellness event included displays by area services and groups with a focus on health; and demonstrations by area dance studios, fitness centers and martial arts studios.

The council’s mission is to promote health and wellness, Shontz said.

“We like to try to provide healthy events and community events,” he said, noting the organization holds other health-focused events throughout the year.

Source: Berkshire mont