BOYERTOWN — The 16th Annual Wellness Fair transformed Boyertown Area Senior High School into a hub of exercise, nutritious cooking and healthy lifestyle information on Saturday, March 19.
The Wellness Council of Boyertown, a program of Boyertown Area Multi-Service, hosted the annual fair that was briefly on hiatus due to the pandemic. This year’s event drew more than 370 visitors.
“The Wellness Council of Boyertown is proud of this yearly fair. We have worked hard to make it a fun, educational event for the community,” said Wellness Council Coordinator Lucie Bergeyova. “We hope that the families who visited discovered what great wellness opportunities we have in the Boyertown area.”
The event opened with the BASH Impact Club’s Impact Walk on the outdoor track, where visitors walked, stopping at stations to explore a variety of kindness activities. The Impact Club is a high school leadership club with a mission to improve the school’s environment and mental health.
At 9:30 a.m., the Running of the Bears competition started with children and families lapping the track to earn points for their respective elementary schools. This year’s Running of the Bears winner was Boyertown Elementary School, which gets the coveted Healthy Bear trophy and bragging rights for the next 12 months. In addition to the trophy, Keystone Running Store in Pottstown will provide a 90-minute running training session to students at the winning school.
Following the running competition, senior citizens started their competition, Senior Walking Bingo, inside the school. They made steps around the hallways to earn bingo prizes.
In the Bear Gym, a host of health and wellness vendors gathered to provide information about their services and products. This year’s vendors included AccentCare Home Health and Hospice, Bear’s Den Fitness, Boyertown Area Multi-Service, Boyertown Community Ambulance Service, Boyertown YMCA, Council on Chemical Abuse, Family Caregivers Network, Foundation for Boyertown Education, Glocker Realty and Insurance, Himalayan Salt and Wellness Cave, Keystone Running & Walking, Limerick Chiropractic Center, Mishock Physical Therapy & Associates, Navigate Life Coach, Pampered Chef, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, Pottstown Hospital, Rajeunir Esthetique, Sanatoga Water Conditioning and Thrive Acupuncture Center.
Throughout the morning, exercise demonstrations kept the Bear Gym flowing with energy, including the YMCA’s Zumba, Bear’s Den Fitness’s CrossFit Kids exercise and Visions Dance Company’s dance performances. Across the hall in the Cub Gym, children maneuvered their way through an obstacle course and played games.
The highlight of the event was the ever-popular Kids Celebrity Chef healthy cooking contest. Six finalists served up their nutritious, delicious dishes for judging both by a panel of celebrity judges and the community.
This year’s celebrity judges included Boyertown Mayor Lori Carnes, Bally Mayor David Schott, Boyertown Area Multi-Service Board of Directors member Jack Lignelli, BASD Director of Teaching and Learning Sara Obarow, Grind Restaurant owner Keith Kopicki, and Kids Celebrity Finalist, 2017-2019, Maddigan Dryburgh.
After much tasting and deliberation, the judges and community selected the following winners:
• Judges’ Choice Award: Zoey Hapenovich, Gilbertsville Elementary School, First Grade, for her Sassy Salad with Orange Vanilla Vinaigrette. She received a trophy and a $50 Frecon Farms gift card.
• People’s Choice Award First Place: Madison Boardman, Earl Elementary School, Second Grade, for her Veggie Packed Pizza Rolls. As the top winner, Boardman received a brand-new bicycle.
• Second Place: Zoey Davis, Washington Elementary School, Third Grade, for her Zoey Burger.
• Third Place: Grace Montanaro, Gilbertsville Elementary School, Kindergarten, for her Loaded Bear Paw Apple Nachos.
• Fourth Place: Zoey Hapenovich, Gilbertsville Elementary School, First Grade, for her Sassy Salad with Orange Vanilla Vinaigrette.
• Honorable Mention: Evan Conver, New Hanover Elementary School, Fourth Grade, for his Brownie Batter Dip.
• Honorable Mention: Finley Scheidler, Boyertown Elementary School, Kindergarten, for the Banana Oat Cookie.
The Wellness Council of Boyertown extends a huge thank you to: sponsors Frecon Farms, Healthy Kids Running Series – Boyertown, Keystone Running & Walking, Kimberton Whole Foods, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, Rita’s Boyertown, Thrive Acupuncture Center and Walmart Bechtelsville; all of the vendors and demonstrators, Impact Club, Boyertown Area Multi-Service, and all of the many volunteers, including the Boyertown high school students and Boyertown High School custodial staff.
The Wellness Council of Boyertown, a program of Boyertown Area Multi-Service, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that develops and hosts health-related programming and activities, including the Wellness Fair and Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K race. The Wellness Council brings a variety of events and activities to families and individuals in all areas of wellness. For more information, visit http://www.boyertownareamulti-service.org/the-wellness-council.html.
