Bay City wellness walk, market to offer free fitness classes

BAY CITY, MI – A local wellness event scheduled for this weekend will combine a community walk with a health market.
Bay City residents can participate in the free Healthy Minds | Healthy Bodies Wellness Walk & Market on Saturday, Oct. 11, an event combining physical activity with community health resources.
The family-friendly event begins with on-site registration at 9 a.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City, followed by a Community Wellness Walk starting at 10 a.m. Participants will take a scenic riverfront walk before continuing to the Wellness Market at The Jefferson Project on North Jefferson Street.
The first 100 walkers will receive a complimentary YMCA day pass from the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA.
“This event is about more than fitness — it’s about connection,” said Bay City Mayor Chris Girard, who doubles as the event organizer. “When we come together as a community to focus on both physical and mental well-being, we strengthen Bay City as a whole. Healthy people build healthy neighborhoods, and events like this remind us that we’re all in this together.”
Following the walk, attendees can visit the Wellness Market from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., which will feature local health organizations and vendors. Participating groups include the Bay County Health Department, Dow Bay Area YMCA, Bay Arenac Behavioral Health, Tricare Performance & Wellness, Inner Sensory Healing, FASTER Way to Fat Loss, Bay City Tennis Association, and Essentially Unique.
The event will offer free fitness classes throughout the morning for all experience levels. The schedule includes a SHiNE Dance Class with Jody at 11 a.m., UPLIFT Dance with Jody at 11:30 a.m., Yoga Fundamentals with Tom at noon, and a leg workout at 12:30 p.m.
Participants can enter raffles, receive promotional items and gift cards, and connect with local wellness experts, fitness leaders, and mental health professionals during the event.
The Healthy Minds | Healthy Bodies Bay City initiative represents a community collaboration aimed at improving mental and physical health through education, movement, and connection.