The Stamford Hospital Health Wellness & Sports Expo 2014 will return to Chelsea Piers Connecticut, 1 Blachley Road in Stamford, on September 20 and September 21 from 9am to 4pm. Now in its third year, Expo 2014 will feature health screenings and children’s activities provided by Stamford Hospital and more than 80 exhibitors showcasing the latest in health and wellness. This year, Saturday will be designated Pet Wellness Day and Sunday as Healthy Technology Day. Everyone attending this free expo has a chance to win raffle prizes and is encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations for the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County.

Stamford Hospital will provide complimentary health screenings such as cholesterol and glucose, cardiac and stroke risk assessments, blood pressure, body fat analysis, and pulmonary function and hand hygiene tests. There will also be information on a variety of medical conditions and treatments, as well as representatives from Paint the Town Pink to promote breast cancer awareness. The hospital’s Mobile Wellness Center, parked outside, will offer mammograms, which are covered by most insurance companies, and free of charge for the uninsured.

Special guests will include Bobby Valentine, former professional baseball player and manager and current athletic director at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Visitors can putt with Valentine at a putting green provided by Golfsmith. Proceeds will go to the Sacred Heart University athletic program. Additional guests will include Sean Hyson, author of 101 Best Workouts of All Times and training director of Men’s Fitness Magazine, Gillian Neff, News 12 Connecticut anchor and health reporter, and Cora Ragaini, RDN, Grade A ShopRite.

Grade A ShopRite will demonstrate how to make healthy smoothies and Walgreens will provide flu shots and will accept most insurance. CT Flyboard will showcase the latest in extreme water sports while Next Step Living will offer advice on home energy efficiency. EBMAS CT Kung Fu will demonstrate martial arts and Shaklee Independent Distributor Debbie Miron will feature a wealth of health and nutritional products. There will be many more interactive and engaging exhibits.

“Visitors can learn about many health issues and take advantage of important screenings,” said Vicki Hoffman, director of the Stamford Hospital Orthopedic & Spine Institute. “We hope that families will come away from the expo with a new sense of commitment to a healthy lifestyle.”

A 5 K Run and 1 Mile Walk for Health & Hunger, presented by Athletic Shoe Factory of New Canaan and Fairfield, will kick off Expo 2014 on Saturday, starting and finishing at Chelsea Piers Connecticut. The 5 K Run, a USATF-certified course through Stamford and Cove Beach, will begin at 8:15am and the 1 Mile Walk, including a 1 Mile Dog Walk for families and children, will start at 8:30am. The entry fee is $80 for 2 adults and up to 3 children under age 12, plus 4 nonperishable food items. The food and $5 from each entry fee will be donated to The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. During the 1 Mile Dog Walk, sponsored by The Veterinary Cancer Center of Norwalk, dogs must be kept on leashes and up-to-date on vaccines. The first 500 registered participants will receive a dri-fit shirt, race bib and goody bag. After the Run and Walk, Wagmore will provide a free doggy day care until 1pm so participants can attend the expo.

Those who bring food to Expo 2014 will receive a raffle ticket valued at $5. Prizes will be awarded all weekend. A special $10 raffle ticket will be on sale for the grand prize, a stay for two at the luxury Castle Hotel & Spa in Tarrytown. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the raffle and a silent auction will go to the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. 

The event is produced by TMK Sports & Entertainment, based in Greenwich.

For more information, call 203-531-3047, visit HWS-Expos.com and follow on Twitter @HWS_Expos and Facebook.com/HWS.Expos. See ads, pages 20 and 21.