March 28, 2024

Newton Fest: Here are events to get competitive and stay active

Work up a sweat or participate in dodgeball or pickle ball tournaments

Residents participate in Yoga in the Park during Newton Fest in 2021 at Maytag Park.

Staying active just got easier! Sure, we can exercise any day of the week, but it’s not often we get a chance to participate in a dodgeball or pickle ball tournament, go on a 5K and then be rewarded with a cold beer, indulge in some morning yoga or dive into Maytag Pool for — wait for it — even more yoga!

No seriously that last part isn’t something we made up! The City of Newton and Red Sun Yoga are teaming up to offer a water yoga class from 11:30 a.m. to noon on June 9 at Maytag Pool. This activity is open for all ages. The class itself is free but there is a $5 pool entry. Bring your swimsuits!

Of course, if you’d rather swim there’s plenty of chances to do that, too. In fact, there is a free community pool party from 7 to 9 p.m. June 9. This party is brought to you courtesy of the folks at Advantage Credit Union. The pool is open free of charge to anyone. And at that time you might not need sunscreen. Bonus!

By the way, if for some reason you can’t make it out to the free party pool that day, admission is only $2 the next day on June 10. Double bonus!

Perhaps the yoga part is more your thing. The calm and peaceful activity really has a way of working your muscles and your mind. Which is why morning yoga from 9 to 10 a.m. June 10 at Maytag Bowl might be the best way to start the day. The free session is open to all skill levels and brought to us by Rachel Braafhart.

If you’re not feeling enough burn from the yoga session, the Iowa Brewery Running Series Run for Beer 5K starts at 10 a.m. June 10 at Gezellig Brewing Company, 403 W. Fourth St. N., at Legacy Plaza. You can run, jog or walk. When you’re done, Gezellig staff will be waiting to serve you a nice cold beverage.

While you’re at it, celebrate the brewery’s four-year anniversary! Can you believe they opened during Newton Fest? The microbrewery has been making a name for itself ever since. We’re certainly glad they call Newton home. After your beer, be sure to enjoy some food trucks at Maytag Park and Legacy Plaza!

OK so maybe yoga, running and swimming are not your thing. Maybe you want something more competitive. Well, the Newton YMCA is hosting a pickle ball tournament 9 a.m. June 10 at Aurora Park. It is $45 per team and each match — open doubles, women’s doubles and intermediate doubles — is best-of-three.

For those who want to dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge, there is also a free dodgeball tournament 3 p.m. June 10 at the tennis courts in Maytag Park. There are two age divisions: ages 12-17 and ages 18-and-up. The tournament is single elimination, and there will be prizes for top three and the best dressed teams.

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig has a strong passion for community journalism and covers city council, school board, politics and general news in Newton, Iowa and Jasper County.