First Healthy Harvest Day
Written by Annie Wishard & Leah Davis
“Healthy Harvest Day in Pennsylvania begins in Huntingdon County”, says a proclamation from Governor Ed Rendell’s office. Pennsylvania Senator Robert Jubelirer has introduced a resolution in the Senate recognizing October 25th as Healthy Harvest Day in Pennsylvania, and Representative Larry Sather is supporting this special day by delivering the keynote address and presenting the proclamation and resolution on the afternoon of October 25th during celebration ceremonies on the stage in front of the Post Office. What began as a small seed planted by the Greater Huntingdon Chamber of Commerce and the Huntingdon Health and Wellness Association has yielded a very large harvest!
What is Healthy Harvest Day? It is the first major event of the newly formed Huntingdon Health and Wellness Association that will showcase complementary and alternative therapies, highlight businesses, activities, and products in our area that foster wellness, and raise funds to benefit both the Association and J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital.
Healthy Harvest Day is a special celebration for the people of Huntingdon County. Get ready, folks, for a block party that stretches from 2nd to 8th streets along Washington Street, thanks to the Huntingdon Borough Council. The Borough Council has given their stamp of approval for creating a beautiful setting for this colorful Fall celebration. The streets will be decorated with corn shocks, pumpkins, Indian corn, flowers, hay bales, and chimeneas to warm hands. Remember to bring your camera to create a memory of this beautiful, momentous day.
Plan to spend the day from 10AM to 6PM. You will love what you learn and see. The entire Saturday promises to be filled with fun, as well as health and wellness initiatives for everyone! Thanks to Ted Aurand and the Huntingdon Community Center Board, the Community Center will be open all day to offer displays, workshops, educational presentations and classes by members of the Huntingdon Health and Wellness Association and J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital. Come and experience yoga, massage, and relaxation techniques. Participate in a Native American ceremonial healing session. Learn about herbs, magnetic therapy, wellness products, and glyconutritionals. There will even be societal wellness strategies like bully prevention. JC Blair Memorial Hospital professionals, including the midwives, will be present to share educational information.
Huntingdon Area Merchants have welcomed and sponsored Healthy Harvest Day and have added their energy, support, and generous donations. There will be Fall sidewalk sales and in-store specials at each location. You will be pleased to see both established businesses and new businesses pulling together to make this celebration a success. Thank-you merchants………..We couldn’t do it without you!
The vendor list for Healthy Harvest Day continues to grow as applications pour in through October 15th. (October 15th is the last day for applications to be mailed.) Washington Street will be closed to traffic from 2nd to 8th Streets from 6AM to 8PM. Side streets remain open (please be watchful for pedestrians!). The vendors will be set up in the middle of Washington Street to allow storefronts to offer special sales on the sidewalk in front of each business, as well as to allow for a steady flow of festival-goers up and down both sides of the street. A sampling of what you will see includes: painting, silk flower arranging, pottery, gourmet foods, stained glass, handcrafted walking canes, country crafts, Native American ceremonial items, antiques and collectibles, bake sales, flea market items, Pumpkin Patch and Fall flowers, magnet therapy, and wellness products. Raffles and prize drawings will be offered. Horticultural tips and information from local and state service agencies will be presented. In addition, local child service agencies will be on hand to provide information and fun children’s activities, including face painting, clay work, and a children’s “Fun Area” with a Big Bounce. Great food and musical entertainment will be on stage all day. Old-fashioned hayrides will be given at the lower end of Washington Street. Many local restaurants will feature a “Healthy Harvest” item or special on their menus. This is also the same day as Homecoming at Juniata College, and many College groups have committed to extending their support by participating in Healthy Harvest Day.
On October 25th our town, our county and the state will salute and celebrate the efforts of the Huntingdon Health and Wellness Association, thus bringing attention to the importance of a holistic, healthy community and county. The Huntingdon area currently offers over 20 different alternative therapies, many of which can be used in conjunction with conventional medicine. Huntingdon Health and Wellness members will be demonstrating some of these therapies, sharing information, and answering questions at street stations and at the Huntingdon Community Center all day. We hope that this event will bring attention to the importance of working together to highlight the many talents and assets we have in Huntingdon County and to underscore the importance of supporting J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital.
We would like to thank everyone involved to date for their help in putting this event together and for their desire to serve our county. These folks and organizations will be recognized on October 25th.
Huntingdon County and its supporters have much to shout about! Join us and add your voice to the chorus. October 25, 2003, Healthy Harvest Day, promises to be a great day in Huntingdon.
Watch the Daily News for a schedule of events and entertainment. Contact Event Coordinators, Annie Wishard at 814-643-4802 or Leah Davis at 814-643-0636 for more information about the day or how to get involved.
The Huntingdon Health and Wellness Association makes no medical claims or recommendations. Check with your doctor about your specific health care needs.