2024 Oso Fit 5k Fun Run & Community Health Fair

The Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair is an annual event in Mission Viejo and focuses on promoting health and wellness. This event is hosted by the City of Mission Viejo and the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce. There is a 5K as well as a kids’ quarter and half mile run. If you walk around the free Community Health Fair, there are more than 100 health and wellness organizations offering giveaways, handouts and free health screenings. All of the runs are along the scenic Oso Creek Trail. The fire department had little firefighter hats that they were handing out to the kids. There was music, and different food vendors who had lots to offer as well. I was there hosting a craft table with the Mission Viejo Activities Committee and got to see witness all the joy that was at this event.

Why I loved it, and why you should go next year:

  • There are so many cool vendors that have super fun games, crafts, and more.
  • It is a wonderful all-inclusive experience for the whole family to join in on.
  • This event supports and gives back to local charities (which we all want).
  • The medal has the Oso Fit bear mascot on it.
  • As a Mission Viejo Activities Committee volunteer, this event is great because you get a lot of hours for helping the community with activities and crafts.

You can find pictures of this awesome event on Instagram @mvactivities and at this hashtag: #osofit5k

Mission Viejo: Pumpkin Dive!

Looking forward to Halloween? Need a way to cool off in the sunny California weather? If so, the Pumpkin Dive is perfect for you!

Located at the Sierra Rec Center, this event is perfect for kids of all ages, especially younger ones. For only five dollars, you get access to unlimited attractions, like pumpkin decorating stations, pool play, and fun carnival games.

Halloween is a holiday many have been waiting ages for! All that candy gathered in just one day! It’s unimaginable, right.

But who wants a boring, bland pumpkin lying on their doorstep? Here at the Pumpkin Dive, tents are provided, sheltering tables and tables with mounds of crafts heaped in paper plates. Pumpkins, you’re getting a makeover. Let young ones overflow with creativity, imagination, and fun and let them decorate their own pumpkin and become their own Michelangelo!

And plus, enter the pumpkin decorating contest for a great opportunity to win a free one-month membership!

But days under the blazing California sun are incredibly hot. Cool off in the pool! But that’s not the real reason this amazing event is called the Pumpkin “Dive.” Turn the pool into a floating pumpkin patch! So decorate your pumpkins, set it into the pool, and make a beautiful, festive Halloween-themed floating pumpkin patch!

If anyone is looking for a fun, creative way to cool off and spend the afternoon, the Pumpkin Dive has it completely covered. Have a spooky Halloween!

-Katharine L.

The Pumpkin Dive at the Sierra Rec Center

While a lot of people were probably enjoying their air-conditioning on Sunday, elementary school kids, other volunteers, and I had a blast at the Sierra Rec Center. Diving for pumpkins was a lot more fun in the 95 degree heat, instead of the rain like last year.

The event lasted from 2 to 5, and started off with kids jumping into the pool to find the perfect pumpkin. I thought that pumpkins would sink to the bottom of the pool, but who knew that they float?

After the kids found their perfect pumpkin, they got to decorate! With some paint bottles, stickers, googly eyes and pom poms, I saw a lot of creative designs. Painting the pumpkin pink was a really popular choice too.

And I can’t forget about the carnival games we had. There was a basketball hoop, some bean bag tosses, and face paint. The kids won prizes, and volunteers did an amazing job with the face paint.

Even though this wasn’t a teen event, you would’ve had a blast if you brought your siblings!

-Rebecca V.

Click here to see some photos from the event!