Wellness Fair Aims to Keep Chelmsford Healthy

Residents are invited to learn about how to get and stay healthy this weekend at the town's annual The fair is May 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the

"The whole purpose is to essentially cover all areas of health and wellness, including alternative therapies as well. We have vendors there to satisfy people of all ages, from kids to senior citizens," said Sue Rosa, the town's manager of healthcare services.

Rosa said the fair will be a mix of fun for kids and informational on a variety of topics such as nutrition and quitting smoking, and blood pressure and blood sugar checks.

"Outside, weather permitting games, will be face painting and touch-a-truck with an ambulance, an allied waste truck, a police cruiser and a fire truck," said Rosa. "Inside we'll have vendors, including fitness facilities with fitness demos on the stage such as Zumba, Tai Chi and karate."

The fair will also include acupuncture, information about the , a dental office promoting oral health, representatives from the and Live Smart focusing on substance abuse problems and more.

"We will have a few doing massage, some people doing reiki and there will be information on senior citizens services as well, such as home care and assisted living options," said Rosa. "I don't think there is any area of health and wellness left untouched."

The fair will also include yoga demonostrations and Lowell General Hospital will let people try its "fatal vision" goggles, Rosa said.

"People get to wear the glasses that simulate vision for intoxication," she said. "It's interactive with remote control car to show what happens when you drink and drive."

Rosa said coordinating the fair has been a big job, and she hopes turn out will be good.

"The first year we had it, it was torrential rain, so turn out wasn’t so good, last year was a beautiful day and it was a good turn out so we're hoping even more people come," she said. "People can educate themselves on everything available out there for overall health and wellness."

Rosa said it was important to not just focus on physical health. When people think of a wellness fair, immediately they think of weight management or substance abuse, Rosa said - but it's more than that.

"It's physical and mental health, all in one, and spiritual health. It's the whole package and that’s what we want to promote, the overall health," she said. "I just look forward to seeing all the people and watching people walk through the fair as they soak up the information and seeing what areas they tend to go to more than others. (I like) just knowing people are educating themselves and walking away with a positive message."