Live Well Willoughby promises a day of family-friendly fun, health and wellness

By Patricia Nugent

In its second year, the one-day Live Well Willoughby festival has some fairly lofty goals: bringing together the local health and wellness communities to educate and empower people to become a healthier version of themselves.

Set to take place Saturday, June 1, at Wes Point Park, this year the event has expanded its offerings, doubled the number of educational vendors and added a team fitness challenge.

“Live Well Willoughby is an opportunity to encourage and enhance health and wellness within our community,” says Willoughby Mayor Bob Fiala. “This event offers activities and education for all ages, health and fitness levels, and we are excited to support an initiative with such a positive message.”

Last year about 1,000 people attended the wildly successful event, and they are hopeful even more will join the fun next month.

Can You Make It?
Hosted by The Bar Athletics, The Bar Crawl Team Fitness Challenge has already attracted teams to vie for honor and glory, camaraderie and fun.

According to community events coordinator and coach, Meredith Reinhard, the four-person teams will complete an obstacle course of fitness moves over four stations, beginning and ending at Wes Point Park, from 10 a.m. to noon, with heats running every 15 minutes.

Proceeds from the challenge will benefit The Downtown Willoughby Organization. Cost is $60 per team, and you can register at TheBarAthletics.com.

“Teams will complete physical challenges such as squats and medicine ball sit-ups, in the first station, then carry the balls with them about a mile to The Bar Athletics, where they’ll complete two more challenges including rowing and planks before returning to the park for a final challenge,” she explains.

“Some of the teams who have already signed will be wearing costumes, which should be a ball. Though this is a laid-back, fun event, we will award a healthy pizza from the Wild Goose to the top teams.”

Also new this year, provided by FIT4MOM, moms can enjoy a complimentary Stroller Strides class from noon to 1 p.m.

This fitness program is perfect for moms and their babies. It includes power walking, strength intervals and body toning exercise using exercise tubing and strollers.

For a novel fitness experience with your favorite four-legged friend, don’t miss the Thank Dog Bootcamp classes, which combine weight training with cardio and a dash of obedience training.

Younger kids can shake things up at the Kids’ Zone, set up by the Lake County YMCA, including an inflatable bounce house and games.

Take Charge of Your Health
Says Chad Gourley, president of Downtown Willoughby, “In addition to all the physical pursuits, we’ve also invited more food vendors offering a large variety of healthy offerings, as well as wellness vendors who will be providing preventive screenings such as blood pressure, bone density and spinal health.”

He says they organized the inaugural event last year in hopes that other communities would be inspired to do the same, and that they have.

“We all benefit with sharing and hopefully more and more people will gain a better understanding of their health and wellness,” says Chad.

Live Well Willoughby takes place at Wes Point Park at Euclid Avenue and River Street in downtown Willoughby. For more information, visit LiveWellWilloughby.org.