Daytonians the weekend is upon us and it is time to get out and be active during the fall season! There are a lot of different things to do around the community such as hayrides, hikes, corn mazes, pumpkin picking, 5K/10K runs, and numerous festivals. Fall is truly a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors and soak up all of the natural goodness that surrounds our community. This weekend spend your time with two very worthy walking events and a gluten free celebration that reaps fall’s bounty!
Saturday, October 10 marks the annual Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease care, support and research. The walk is done on behalf of the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and their over 15 million caregivers. The walk is held each year in more than 600 communities nationwide. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions. Everyone can find a reason to end Alzheimer’s, so sign up for the walk this Saturday, and help put a stop to the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death! Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the 2 mile walk begins at 10:15 a.m. at Fifth Third Field. A worthy cause and a great way to be active Saturday morning!
Also on Saturday, October 10 is the Miami Valley Pet Therapy Association’s Howl O Ween Dog Walk. This is going to be one fun event! Also known as the Howl Walk, this is the 10th annual fundraiser for certified therapy pets.
There will be everything from the world’s smallest pet therapy horse to freestyle dancing dogs, yes you read that correctly, freestyle dancing dogs! The 2 mile Howl Walk takes place at the beautiful Indian Riffle Park. This is a fabulous opportunity to exercise and socialize your four legged friend. If you like, dress your dog in his or her favorite costume. Blend with the crowd or compete for various prizes for dog and/or owner costumes. There will also be raffle baskets of valuable goodies, door prizes, a special drawing for early registrants, food vendors, merchandise, and dog rescue adoption organizations. The cost for this event is $35 and once again supports a very noble cause. The agenda for the morning festivities is registration begins at 9:00 a.m., a blessing of the animals at 10:00 a.m., the Howl Walk takes off at 10:05 a.m., and the costume parade and prizes starts at 11:00 a.m. Come on out and bring your furry friend for a very memorable experience!
After an active morning head over to Dorothy Lane Market Washington Square for The Celebrate Gluten Free 
Event from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Extra bonus is that it is free, hooray! Celebrate Gluten Free brings together more than 20 vendors who provide everything from gluten-free baked goods, snacks, condiments, and beverages to supplements and skin care items. There will also be two free seminars at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Lane Market Culinary Center the day of the event.This is a wonderful opportunity to become more educated about gluten free living and how it has the potential to impact your health (and active life) in a positive manner. Yours truly will be there, so come find me and introduce yourself! The best part of all is that you can have your cake (gluten free, of course), and eat it, too after your morning walks!
That’s the weekend wrap up of some different events that all support excellent causes and an active, healthy lifestyle. Two unique walks that are guaranteed to be a good time while helping people and pets in our community, and a celebration of nutrition and wellness, this is going to be one spectacular weekend! Let’s get out, get moving, and take care of each other Dayton!
