Wellness Fest blends enjoyable, health and taste at Forest Park

SPRINGFIELD — Hundreds of residents from town and surrounding communities turned a usually tranquil Forest Park right into a celebration of holistic well-being and lively dwelling on Saturday.

The L.I.D.S. Live Wellness Fest kicked off with a 5K Run/Walk Race that was open to people and groups. The remainder of the day was crammed with dwell health demos and workshops, native distributors and useful resource stations, meals vans and tents, music and raffles.

The occasion was introduced by L.I.D.S. Live Well in partnership with the Springfield Parks and Recreation Department. In the previous, the occasion was held in Szot Park in Chicopee.

“We are thrilled to broaden our reach this year by hosting the 4th annual event at Forest Park,” occasion coordinator Lidya Early mentioned. “Moving to Forest Park in Springfield gives us a chance to reach a broader audience. Forest Park is a landmark space, it’s central, it’s beautiful and it offers the kind of energy and visibility that helps the event grow.”

The wellness fest drew households, health lovers and even some curious newcomers. And the suggestions up to now has been very constructive, Early mentioned.

“Many participants share that they leave feeling energized, supported and inspired to keep making wellness a part of their daily lives,” she added. “People also love the sense of community. It’s not just about a 5K or fitness classes, it’s about connection, encouragement and belonging.”

The mission of the occasion was “to uplift fitness and overall well-being physically, mentally and emotionally with a special focus on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities, where health disparities often run deep,” Early mentioned. “What started as my personal journey to prioritize wellness has grown into a community-wide event that brings people together around fitness, family and fun.”

“Our biggest hope is to inspire people to see wellness as something joyful, communal, and accessible. We want to break down barriers to fitness and health by showing that it can be fun, family-friendly and rooted in community support,” Early mentioned. “Ultimately, we hope participants leave feeling encouraged to continue prioritizing their health, while also strengthening connections across our community.”

Music for leisure and figuring out was offered by DJ Munch of Mixxing in Action Entertainment.