A festival promoting sports, health and wellness is coming to the Libro Centre July 19-20.
The Amherstburg Mind, Body and Soul event runs both of those days and is being organized by a volunteer group of residents and recreational group leaders. Organizers include Amherstburg Soccer Club president Nick Cacciato, the event’s founder, Wren Dosant of the Valiants Basketball Club and Linda DiPasquale from the Amherstburg Pickleball Association.
In addition to those organizations, the Mind, Body, Soul event was developed in partnership with the Windsor-Essex Bike Community (WEBC), Windsor Ultimate Frisbee and the Miracle League of Amherstburg. The two-day festival is a fundraiser for the latter.
“Nick had the vision to bring multiple organizations together to promote healthy, active living,” said DiPasquale. “We could not help getting on board with our respective organizations.”
Cacciato said he has always wanted to help organizations come together and now was a good time to do it.
"This festival is a testament to the power of collaboration and community engagement," he said. "By joining forces with our local sports and recreation organizations, we aim to amplify our impact and inspire even more individuals to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle."
The event will feature a range of activities and attractions such as soccer tournaments, pickleball tournaments, frisbee tournaments, basketball and soccer skills competitions, bicycle demonstrations and clinics, free yoga and Zumba classes, martial arts demonstrations, dance demonstrations and interactive event by the Rivertown Dance Academy, a painting workshop, a pottery demonstration, a youth chess tournaments, kids co-operative and competitive games, interactive guided juggling and plate spinning for kids five and up, and a movie at the conclusion of the event. The movie will be outdoors, weather permitting, Saturday at 9 p.m.
There will also be a special Miracle League of Amherstburg game Saturday morning starting at 9:45 a.m. There will be food available at the event as the volunteer organizing committee is working with Tim Stanley of M&M Concessions.
“He has been so accommodating,” added DiPasquale.
While there is no entrance fee to enter the Libro Centre for the Amherstburg Mind, Body and Soul event, there may be fees for certain activities. More information on the event is at www.aburgmindbodysoul.com.
Sponsors include the Amherstburg Soccer Club, Unifor Local 444, Team D’Alimonte Real Estate, the St. Clair College Alumni Association, and Capelli Sport.
Some events are filling up fast while others still have room for participants.
DiPasquale said there are a number of vendors scheduled to be there with a focus on well-being and good mental health. Dosant added the town’s parks and recreation department have been excellent to work with and have helped the independent volunteer committee with planning.
"We are excited to unite with our fellow organizations in our shared mission to promote healthy living, well-being, and community building, through sport and recreation," added DiPasquale.
"Together, we can inspire positive change and empower our community to prioritize their physical and mental well-being," added Ryan Henderson of Windsor-Essex Bike Community.
“It’s an easy win-win situation. While participating in a fun, healthy event for yourself, you are helping and engaging with a lot of the community,” added Dan Allaire of Windsor Ultimate Frisbee.
Dosant added they are looking to continue to build on the event in future years.
“We’re hoping to build this every year,” said Dosant. “This is the starting point.”
Inaugural Amherstburg Mind, Body and Soul event coming July 19-20
By Ron Giofu
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