SAUGUS — The Youth and Recreation Department held its third Community Wellness Fair behind the Belmonte STEAM Academy, with a bevy of activities for children and their families to enjoy.
Around 60 people filtered through the fair, eager to participate in its different offerings.
A big hit at the event was the Richie’s Slush cart, operated by Precinct 2 Town Meeting member Matthew Parlante, who was helping to volunteer at the event.
“The slush is a hit, it’s doing better than the fire truck,” Parlante said.
The involvement of emergency services, like the Police and Fire departments, at the fair is important for children, event organizer Crystal Cakounes said.
Cakounes said that their involvement allows for children to be familiarized with them. She said that sometimes in emergency situations, children might be scared and run away from emergency services.
Cakounes has been involved in varying capacities with the Youth and Recreation Department since 2005.
“Anything that will get the kids out with their families that’s free and give them something safe to do, something positive,” Cakounes said.
Another big hit at the event was the petting zoo, with children flocking to the goats, alpaca, and donkey that were part of it.
The event also featured tents for physical and mental wellness, with Tiger Institute Tae Kwon Do having a booth with a push-up challenge for participants to try their hands at.
Attendees also seemed to enjoy the foam party, where they were engulfed in bubbles shot from a foam cannon.
The 360-degree photo booth that was set up was yet another enticing activity, as attendees, dressed to beat the summer heat, took photos of their outfits. The event also had tables of snacks, such as various flavors of Lay’s potato chips, and beverages like Gatorade and cold water.
