By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Hundreds of residents came together to celebrate health and wellness during the fourth annual Healthy Living Expo at Lynnfield Middle School on Saturday, May 17.
A Healthy Lynnfield and the Wakefield Area Chamber of Commerce joined forces to host the Healthy Living Expo at LMS once again. While the event was supposed to originally be held on the Town Common, the Healthy Living Expo was moved inside LMS due to potential rain.
The venue change did not stop the hundreds of residents from coming to the Healthy Living Expo once again to check out the different vendors on display and enjoy a variety of activities offered to families.
“I am very pleased with the turnout this year,” said A Healthy Lynnfield Program Director Diana DeLeo. “You are always nervous when you have to move an event from one location to another, but I think we did a good job communicating it. All of the vendors were on board and everyone seemed happy.”
A Healthy Lynnfield Chair Phil Crawford agreed.
“This was a tremendous event, and I want to thank all of the residents who came to support A Healthy Lynnfield,” said Crawford. “Even though we had to move the Healthy Living Expo inside, this was the best event of the four we have held.”
Wakefield Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Smolinsky said the Healthy Living Expo was “a tremendous success.”
“We thought we would have weather problems, but we had a strong turnout like we have had in the past,” said Smolinsky. “A lot of the vendors said they preferred the change in venue because they didn’t have to worry about rain or the wind. I am very pleased, and I want to compliment the work Diana has done since she has taken over A Healthy Lynnfield. She worked very hard to keep the expo’s success going.”
Similar to the previous three events, the Healthy Living Expo featured over 40 health, wellness and lifestyle vendors who set up informational tables in the LMS gym, hallway and cafeteria. The vendors included chiropractors, dental care, fitness studios, health coaches, health law, mental health professionals, physical therapists, speech specialists, senior care, the recovery community, wellness coaches and more.
“We had a diverse group of vendors,” said DeLeo. “We really covered so many different aspects of overall and optimal health for residents. We had everything for seniors to infants, and emotional wellness to physical wellness. Partnering with the Wakefield Area Chamber of Commerce was huge for us. They are big supporters of A Healthy Lynnfield. I am really happy with the turnout we had for the vendors and how diverse they were.”
There were also town departments and community organizations that set up tables at the Healthy Living Expo. Lynnfield Fire Capt. David Cumming demonstrated CPR techniques to attendees. Psychologist Dr. Jennifer Burns from the Police Department’s Community Outreach Team discussed the grant-funded program that provides assistance to residents dealing with domestic violence, mental health, substance use and other challenges.
“We had an amazing turnout,” said Dr. Burns. “We had a lot of different vendors from different parts of the community offer health and wellness information to Lynnfield residents.”
DeLeo said it was great “a lot of town departments and community groups” participated in the fourth annual Healthy Living Expo.
There were also family activities offered at the Healthy Living Expo, including the Lynnfield Health Department’s new inflatable Mega Brain that people could walk through.
“We just got that for the town,” said DeLeo. “We first used it at the Health and Wellness Fair at the high school, but that was a closed event. This is the first time we have had it at a community event. The kids were excited to go inside and check it out. There are so many ways we can use the Mega Brain to educate kids and older residents about the different impacts on the brain from addiction, concussions and epilepsy. I am happy that we have it. It’s a great way to educate the community.”
A Mom’s Village also conducted a yoga class at the expo. Comedic juggler Bryson Lang also entertained residents in the LMS gym.
“Bryson Lang was a huge hit,” said DeLeo. “He was hilarious.”
A karate demonstration by Cervizzi’s Martial Arts Academy was also held at the event.
“Cervizzi’s is a sponsor as well,” said DeLeo. “They are great to work with. We are working on things with them in the community as well.”
Representatives from A Healthy Lynnfield’s Youth Council at Lynnfield High School and the A Healthy Lynnfield Youth Group at LMS set up informational tables as well as oversaw the face-painting table.
“It was a great opportunity to have our youth groups at the high school and middle school help plan and organize the event,” said DeLeo.
A Healthy Lynnfield Youth Council members Olivia Sylvester, Isabella Ruocco and Adriana Regitano set up a table to educate the community about limiting teenagers’ access to alcohol. Olivia said she enjoyed volunteering at the event.
“It was really fun to be a part of the Healthy Living Expo,” said Olivia.
Realtor Ellen Rubbico Crawford also brought Geraniumfest back to the expo for the second straight year.
Additionally, the Healthy Living Expo featured a mini farmers market and Harlee Priestley brought her new business, Flower Bouquet Bar, to the event.
DeLeo said she loves how the Healthy Living Expo “brings the community and residents of all ages together.”
“There is something for everyone here,” said DeLeo. “We want to use that as a draw to get people in so that they can learn about who we are and what we do. It’s an opportunity for us to bring the community together and provide them with as much information about living a healthy lifestyle as possible.”
Crawford said he hopes townspeople “realize that A Healthy Lynnfield is a big part of this community.”
“We are here to benefit the community,” said Crawford. “It’s not just about substance use and mental health. It’s about all parts of health, and teaching kids to make good decisions while growing up. A Healthy Lynnfield also seeks to help families who need resources that we have access to. A Healthy Lynnfield’s brand has become much better known in the last eight years, and we all hope that people take away that this is a community coalition.”