Healthy Family FunFest on Feb. 24 focuses on body and mind

Healthy Family FunFest, Southington’s most popular event focused on health and wellness, is set for Sunday, Feb. 24, providing resources and interactive activities centered on living life to the fullest. This free festival, which each year attracts thousands of visitors, will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Aqua Turf Club, 556 Mulberry St., Plantsville. Featured guests include Cory Myers and Renee DiNino, of iHeartMedia, and Rob Dibble, Southington native, former professional baseball player and sports analyst.

Exhibitors can register now.

Health professionals, medical experts and community members will provide a wealth of information that can benefit individuals of all ages. Offerings include free health screenings (including blood pressure, glucose and balance), demonstrations, educational materials, giveaways and special activities focused on:

• Healthy Minds
• Aging Well
• Women’s Health
• Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation
• Kids of All Ages

Healthy Minds: Experts will offer insights into mental and behavioral health topics including substance abuse, memory loss and the aging brain, and eradicating associated stereotypes and stigmas. Screenings, interactive demonstrations and activities designed to “boost” the brain will be showcased.

Aging Well: Presenters will provide information about geriatric medicine, memory loss, exercise, assisted services, senior living communities and Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, a resource and assessment center specifically for seniors and their caregivers.

Women’s Health: Health issues specific to females will be featured including essential screenings, cancer prevention, exercise and parenting. Hartford Hospital is providing 15-minute mammography screenings for eligible women in the Digital Mobile Mammography Coach.

Sports Medicine: Professionals will encourage incorporating movement into the daily lifestyle whether it is something as simple as walking or enjoying outdoor family fun, or more challenging activities such as martial arts. Fitness specialists will provide guidance on proper techniques to prevent injuries and increase results as well as how physical rehabilitation can enhance recovery from injury or a surgery. One of the most favorite areas is the Family Fitness Challenge where parents and children can “compete” in a variety of activities such as the plank, jumping and an obstacle course.

Kids’ Area: Presented by the Southington Community YMCA, exciting activities will include friendly competitions, try-your-skill games, inflatables and gymnastics. Adults will be able to learn about early childhood education, pediatric health and supportive programs including Southington STEPS and Southington Youth Services. Emergency vehicles will be on site for children to explore. The Lions Club will provide essential vision screenings for youth 6 months to 18 years old.

Healthy Family FunFest’s premiere sponsor is the Bradley H. Barnes & Leila U. Barnes Memorial Trust at Main Street Community Foundation and the event is presented by Hartford HealthCare and the Southington Community YMCA.

For the latest information, visit https://hartfordhealthcare.org/health-wellness/healthy-family-funfest; or call the Healthy Family FunFest coordinator at 860.378.1268.