BRATTLEBORO — The 19th annual Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Health Fair is Saturday, Sept. 25.
The fair's theme,“Launch Into Motion,” is designed to show ways to get and stay healthy with activities and exercise. The fair will provide practical information and demonstrations, and will be held under tents and on the hospital grounds, showers or shine, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Are you interested in free screenings? The BMH Health Fair will feature free blood pressure and breathing tests, as well as balance tests and body fat composition. This year, there will be a new process for free blood test screenings. Free and more accurate blood tests will be available by vouchers given out at the Health Fair. Blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride screenings tests will be done on specific later dates at the BMH Lab. This new method will provide the best results, using top quality equipment when it's more convenient to be fasting. Come to the screening tent at the BMH Health Fair to pick up a voucher.
On the stage under the big tent, health fair goers will see demonstrations of Zumba, ballroom dancing, belly dancing, hula hooping and yoga, all ways to show us how to get up and get moving. Fair goers are welcome to join in. For the schedule of events on stage at the fair, visit www.bmhvt.org.
Outside, you can check out the circus group trapeze and juggling demonstrations along with the Green Street Geckos jump rope team. The Cheshiremen, the Keene, N.H., barbershop chorus, will be performing outside and inside the big tent.
BMH staff will be on hand to show how they encourage and support healthy activities. Plan to stop by the hospital booths, including the Diabetes Program, BMH Journey to Excellence, BMH dieticians, the BMH Comprehensive Breast Care Program, Just So Pediatrics, the BMH Medical Library, Cardio-respiratory and Rehab Services. The Healthy Living Workshops booth will provide information about this free program offered at BMH.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield will offer stretching strength bands and the Bike Blender, a stationary bike that you ride to power a blender that in turn makes a smoothie. They will also have information on dental health and an opportunity to check your tooth brushing effectiveness. The fire department and Rescue will also be there with their equipment.
Come learn about the new BMH Aqua Therapy at the Colonial Pool booth, and check out the Brattleboro Buddy Walk, Brattleboro Senior Meals, Council on Aging, Overeaters Anonymous, Post Oil Solutions, Sojourns Community Health Clinic, Supreme Fitness, Visiting Nurses and Hospice of VT & NH, Meeting Waters YMCA, and as well as Thompson House, Vernon Advent Christian Home, Pine Heights and more.
Children's activities include face painting, the inflatable Moonwalk, craft activities, and Cheryl the Clown. The New England Center for Circus Arts will be on hand to demonstrate the art of the trapeze, after which children will be able to try their ability on the trapeze (after signing a waiver). In addition, the circus folks will give juggling lessons! Just So Pediatrics is planning activities for children and families.
There will be door prizes for those who register, and a grand prize drawing for a brand new bicycle donated at cost by Brattleboro Bicycle Shop. To win the bicycle, young participants will be asked to draw something that helps keep them healthy. The hospital's own Maple View Café will be selling food, and WTSA will be on hand again this year broadcasting live from the fair.
In the case of hurricane-type weather, call 802-257-8358 to check whether the fair is cancelled.