Kick off your summer at Healthy Day in the Park, a free family event in Ephrata that will feature snacks, kids’ games, a book sale, fire trucks and a health fair.
New this year to the event is a tug of war, featuring community teams competing for prizes. Also, the Ephrata Police Department Drone Team will offer a demonstration of its remote-controlled aerial camera that officers use for mapping, crime scenes and accidents.
Healthy Day in the Park will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 1, at Grater Memorial Park in Ephrata. The tug-of-war competition starts at 9:30 a.m.
The event is sponsored by WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital and the Ephrata Public Library.
“We look forward to seeing our neighbors and friends at this fun event,” said Steve Batchelor, regional director of community health and wellness for WellSpan. “Come and play games, enjoy free popcorn and trail mix, and root for your favorite tug-of-war team.”
Designed to promote a healthier community, the event unites WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital’s commitment to community access to health care and wellness with the Ephrata Public Library’s mission of promoting opportunities for those seeking to improve, change, enrich and enjoy their lives.
“We’re so excited to once again be a part of Healthy Day in the Park,” said Penny Talbert, executive director of the Ephrata Public Library. “The Library’s partnership with WellSpan Health is so valuable to our efforts to teach health literacy to our community. For us, it’s the first day of our summer reading program, and a great way to kick off the summer!”
The event will launch the 2019 GO (Get Outdoors) Lancaster! program, which promotes reading and physical activity for kids during the summer. The theme this year is “Get Outdoors and Explore the Universe!” Fairgoers may sign up for the Ephrata Public Library’s GO! program, which will encourage kids to learn more about the universe while getting exercise at local parks.
Kids who sign up for the GO! program will receive a drawstring backpack, and also be entered in a contest to win a bicycle or scooter. The bicycle and scooter winners will be announced throughout the event.
Other activities at the Healthy Day in the Park will include a health fair and free healthy snacks. Kids’ games include an obstacle course and minute-to-win-it competitions. Face painting, crafts and a hula hoop demonstration by Jenny Hill also will be offered.
Kids and families also can check out fire engines, an ambulance and a medic unit from northern Lancaster County first responders during the event. McGruff the Crime Dog also will make an appearance.
Healthy Day in the Park also will feature a book sale, which will be expanded this year. All proceeds will benefit the library.
About WellSpan Health
WellSpan Health is an integrated health system that serves the communities of central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. The organization is comprised of approximately 1,500 employed physicians and advanced practice clinicians, a regional behavioral health organization, a home care organization, eight respected hospitals, more than 19,000 employees, and more than 170 patient care locations. WellSpan is a charitable, mission-driven organization, committed to exceptional care for all, lifelong wellness and healthy communities.
About Ephrata Public Library
The Ephrata Public Library is a physical and virtual community center. Its mission is to provide resources and to promote opportunities for everyone seeking to improve, change, enrich and enjoy their lives. The library offers free access to information reflecting differing viewpoints in order to support an open and democratic society.