Blue Zones Project Monterey County Kickoff

Bring your friends, family, and neighbors to our free and fun community celebration to launch Blue Zones Project^®, a movement that's transforming the well-being of Monterey County by making healthy choices easier in all the places we live, work, learn, and play.

Nationally recognized speaker and Blue Zones^® founder, Dan Buettner*, will share stories from the original blue zones areas of the world, while you enjoy free activities including a bike rodeo, live demonstrations, giveaways, healthy snacks, and more!

Date: Saturday June 29, 2019

Time: 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Location: Sherwood Hall - 940 N. Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901

*Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, and founder of Blue Zones. He’s also the New York Times bestselling author of The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest, Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way, The Blue Zones Solution, and The Blue Zones of Happiness: Lessons From the World's Happiest People. Dan has appeared as a longevity expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, ABC World News, CBS’s The Early Show and CNN.

Bike Rodeo

Local organization Ecology Action will be displaying a Bike/Walk safety & Bike Rodeo and providing education materials to educate parents and children about the safety aspects of riding a bicycle on streets and roads

Walking School Bus

Learn about this unique program and see it in action at the event

Selfie Walls

Come and experience 4 commissioned selfie wall murals by Mainstreet Studio Artist & Youth. Post your selfie and be entered to win a door prize

Smoothie Bike

We are shaking up the event with bike blenders bringing together fun, health, nourishment, and cycling. Come and mix delicious healthy fruit smoothies as you pedal. Delicious free smoothie samples with freshly picked strawberry courtesy of California Strawberry Commission will be provided

Healthy Food Stands

Frutas Frescas Barajas will having for sale fresh cut fruit and refreshing agua fresca (fresh water) made with real fruit, just perfect for keep you cool. Also, Chino’s Peanuts & Chickpeas will have for sale nuts, trail mixes, and seeds perfect for a healthy delicious snack! But if you are craving for a little more, roasted corns and potatoes with lots of flavor will also be available

Kid Zone

The YMCA leads fun activities for the kids so you can explore

Paw Patrol

Skye and Chase, characters from Paw Patrol will be at the Kickoff engaging children to stay safe in a fun and environment

Door Prizes

Chances to win special prizes by participating and posting on social media! Prizes are donated from a number of partner organizations from our community.

More booths, more activities, more giveaways, and more fun!

1:00

1:30

Check-In

Arrive by 1:00 pm to begin checking in. You'll receive a special event goodie bag and can enjoy a special Blue Zones Project presentation just for kickoff attendees.

1:00

4:30

Childcare

The Central Coast YMCA will be providing childcare and youth activities. All activities will be focused around Healthy Living through our licensed program Youth Fit 4 Life. The Youth Fit 4 Life program is certified by the National Institutes of Health's Research-tested Intervention Program. Our Staff are all background checked and CPR certified to ensure a fun and safe environment. A healthy snack will be provided by Blue Zone.

1:45

2:30

Blue Zones Project Presentation with Dan Buettner (English)

Join National Geographic Explorer and New York Times Best-Selling Author, Dan Buettner, as he shares longevity lessons from areas like Ikaria, Greece, Nicoya, Costa Rica, and Okinawa, Japan. Hear the encouraging real data about blue zones areas and their habits and practices that will inspire healthy action in Monterey County, as well as Buettner's personal anecdotes about his conversations with these amazing people.

3:00

3:45

Blue Zones Project Presentation with Ricky Cotto (Spanish)

Ricky Cotto lives and works in Fort Worth Texas. In 2014, he joined the Blue Zones Project Fort Worth team as the Neighborhoods Team Manager and later transitioned to Faith based Manager. In 2018, the City of Fort Worth achieved Blue Zones designation becoming the largest, most diverse Blue Zones community in the US. In 2019, Ricky joined the “Phase 2” team with Texas Health Resources as Director of Community Engagement (NTHC); to continue the great work of making the healthy choice the easy choice.

Living Well Grows Here

Creating a community firmly rooted in a healthier tomorrow

Activities & Agenda

Agenda & Activities

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