Family Funfest Set To Highlight Healthy Living

Healthy living and fun can be found this Sunday, Mar. 6  at the Healthy Family Funfest.

Held at the Aqua Turf from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event is geared for those ages one through 100, bringing health education through interactive activities with vendors, games, children's activities, screenings, demonstrations and much more.

The free event is possible through a collaboration by Central Connecticut Senior Health Services, the Hospital of Central Connecticut and the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA in order to help the community become more informed and active.

"Active lifestyles are important to all ages," Joseph A. Babiarz, M.D. said. "There are so many valuable resources out there for people to take advantage of in an effort to improve their health and well being. "

The event will bring many simultaneous activities geared towards children, seniors, teens and adults, said Central Connecticut Senior Health Services Vice President Trish Walden. Although there'll be tons of information in forms like brain fitness games, eye glass repair and body density checks, it won't be your average expo, she said.

"This year we asked all of our vendors to do something interactive with visitors to really engage them, so it's not just a walk-through kind of a day," Walden said. "And we have everything from indoor and outdoor kids activities to teenage role models like WNBA player Kara Lawson and different mascots."

Entertainment like dance troops and singers will liven up the event as well as giveaways and samples of products like health food bars and Rogers Orchards apples.

In its second year, the Funfest drew more than 2,000 people last year, and organizers say they expect even more this Sunday. They've rented out the entire Aqua Turf facility in preparation.

Walden said the big crowds might be a good sign that people are becoming more health conscious and open to improving their well-being.

"It's a perfect time of year for this, when winter is dying down and people are thinking about becoming more active, and I think it's reflective of the community's interest in healthier options and lifestyles," Walden said.