MONSON — Monson residents and people from surrounding communities are invited to learn what the area has to offer in fitness, healthy lifestyles and general well-being at the Monson Wellness Fair.
The Board of Health restarted the fair last year, after it was derailed for several years by the coronavirus pandemic. Last year’s fair was a success, according to Board of Health Administrative Assistant Denie Kennedy Buck. She said, “A lot of families came out. We probably had 200 people come through, which is a lot of a small town like Monson.”
A wide array of vendors have signed up for the fair, which will take place on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Memorial Hall. They will include town departments such as the Parks and Recreation Department, Fire Department, and Free Library. The Police Department is slated to perform car seat safety checks. Health checks for blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart rate will be available, as will tests on grip strength, fall risk and balance.
Some of the organizations and agents that will be at the fair are BHN, Quaboag Hills Substance Use Alliance, the Medical Reserve Corps of Massachusetts, and area Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous groups. The Monson Substance Use Community Partnership, which was awarded a Drug Free Communities grant in September 2023 and works with Monson Public Schools, will also be at the fair.
There are also planned demonstrations, such as yoga from local studios and disc golf.
Fairs require time and effort in the form of volunteers. Among the people who have volunteered so far are students from Monson, Palmer and Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical high schools, but the Board of Health is still seeking help from community members.
For more information on the Wellness Fair, visit monson-ma.gov/312/Board-of-Health.
