News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Communities across the province will be celebrating Wellness Week, Oct. 1-7, with a series of special events.

“I am glad to see communities helping to build a culture of wellness in our province,” Families and Children Minister Stephen Horsman said. “We know that building supportive environments to make wellness possible for everyone is the best recipe for strong, healthy individuals and families and a stronger province.”

During the week, New Brunswickers are encouraged to join the Wellness Movement, participate in an activity in their community, and increase their motivation, understanding and awareness of the benefits associated with being well.

A wellness week calendar and list of activities taking place in various regions is available online.

Activities include:

• Oct.1 – Outdoor Wellness Fair, organized by the Restigouche Wellness Network, Sugarloaf Provincial Park, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The fair is open to the public with family activities and information booths.

• Oct. 2 - Journée des couleurs au centre plein air Mont Farlagne, an outdoor event organized by the Northwest Wellness Network, Mont Farlagne Dieticians in Action, Saint Jacques, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event is open to the public with a variety of outdoor family activities at the base of Mont Farlagne.

• Oct. 3 – Celebration of Champions, organized by the Fundy Wellness Network, Bill McGuire Centre, Rothesay, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Local wellness champions will be recognized for their community efforts.

• Oct. 4 – Launch of the Mango 5-2-1-0 healthy eating and physical activity program, at 1 p.m. at the Eel Ground First Nation school gymnasium, organized by the local Childhood Obesity Prevention Committee. This event will be followed by the launch of the Fresh 4 Less food box program, organized by the Northumberland Food Security Network, at 1:30 p.m. in the same school gym. The opening of the Eel Ground First Nation’s new Natoaganeg Community Food Centre takes place at 4 p.m. All of these events are open to the public.

• Oct. 5 – Open House for the launch of the Dial-a-Ride transportation service and family connector initiative, organized by the Sussex Wellness Network, 38 Park St. in Sussex from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open to the public.

• Oct. 7 – Do the Loop event, organized by the Town of Riverview, at the Chocolate River Station beginning at 9 a.m. The event is open to the public to walk, run or bike along the riverfront trail for about 6.5 kilometers.

• Oct. 15 – Wellderness, organized by Fredericton area partners in co-operation with the Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Coalition of New Brunswick, Wilmot Park in Fredericton from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event is open to the public with outdoor family activities and a special focus on youth, seniors and newcomers. It includes a children’s Welderness Nature Dash, arts and crafts, costume-making, an obstacle course and medal ceremony.