On Sunday, June 8, 2025, the city of Woburn will come alive with energy, compassion, and community spirit during the inaugural Live Free Fun Run and Mental Health Resources Festival at Ice House Park, Horn Pond.
This vibrant and family-friendly event, spearheaded by Mackenzie Dezieck—Assistant to the Mayor and the City’s Substance Use and Mental Health Coordinator—marks an important milestone in Woburn’s mission to build awareness, reduce stigma, and celebrate the strength of recovery. With a fun run/walk, live music, food trucks, and dozens of community partners, this is more than just a Sunday morning outing—it’s a powerful step toward connection and healing.
Insight Recovery Treatment Center is proud to be a Silver Sponsor of this event, supporting both the local community and the larger conversation around mental health and substance use recovery.
What Is the Live Free Fun Run?
The Live Free Fun Run and Mental Health Resources Festival is a first-of-its-kind event for Woburn, blending wellness, celebration, and education in one uplifting morning. Hosted at the scenic Ice House Park at Horn Pond, this 2.5-mile walk/run is designed for all ages and fitness levels.
But it’s about more than physical movement—this event is a movement for mental health awareness, a call to action against stigma, and an open invitation to celebrate the community resources that are helping individuals and families thrive in the face of addiction and mental illness.
Event organizer Mackenzie Dezieck shared her hopes that this day will offer more than information—it will offer hope. “There is a major stigma in getting help for these sorts of things,” Dezieck said in an interview with the Daily Times Chronicle. “This event is about spreading awareness that this is something to celebrate rather than be ashamed of.”
A Morning of Wellness, Connection, and Celebration
Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025
Location: Ice House Park, Horn Pond, Woburn, MA
Time:
- 10:30 AM: Check-in for the Fun Run
- 11:00 AM: Run/Walk kicks off
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Mental Health Resources Festival
Whether you’re walking in memory of someone you love, running to support a friend, or simply showing up for your community, this event offers something for everyone. Here’s what you can look forward to:
- 2.5-mile fun run/walk around the beautiful Horn Pond trail
- Free registration and a complimentary event t-shirt
- Live DJ and music to keep the energy high
- Food trucks with tasty options for every palate
- Face painting and kid-friendly activities
- Booths and resource tables from over 30 local and regional mental health and substance use providers
- Giveaways, raffles, and community connection
- Inspiring guest speakers and personal recovery stories
Why This Event Matters
Mental health and substance use challenges touch every community—including Woburn. Yet, too often, individuals suffer in silence due to stigma, shame, or lack of access to care. For many, the road to recovery can feel isolating and overwhelming, with obstacles that make seeking help seem like an insurmountable task. However, events like the Live Free Fun Run are critical because they help break down these barriers by shining a light on the resources available and showing people that they are not alone in their struggles.
This event plays an important role in raising awareness about the mental health and substance use issues that are prevalent in our society. It creates a platform where individuals can learn about local services and support networks, connecting them to resources that can guide them on their journey to recovery. The presence of local service providers, mental health professionals, and recovery advocates helps create a community of support where those in need can find comfort and encouragement.
Beyond just providing resources, the Live Free Fun Run offers a safe space for open dialogue about mental health and substance use. For many, speaking openly about these topics can feel like a daunting task, but this event encourages people to share their stories, ask questions, and find solidarity. By fostering an environment of compassion and understanding, the event helps to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction, creating an atmosphere where individuals can begin to heal without fear of judgment.
At its core, the Live Free Fun Run is about celebrating the possibility of recovery and emphasizing that healing is not only possible but also worth celebrating. Whether you’re participating in the run/walk, volunteering, or simply attending, you’re contributing to a movement that highlights hope and the power of community. This event is a reminder that while the journey to recovery can be challenging, it is not one that anyone should have to face alone. By coming together, we can create a more supportive, open, and resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive.
Insight Recovery: Supporting the Journey Toward Healing
As a proud Silver Sponsor of the Live Free Fun Run and Mental Health Resources Festival, Insight Recovery Treatment Center is honored to stand in solidarity with the people of Woburn and the broader recovery community. Located in Winchester, Insight Recovery provides compassionate, individualized care for people facing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Insight’s presence at this event is more than symbolic—it’s a continuation of their mission to remove barriers to treatment, challenge stigma, and support whole-person healing through every phase of recovery.
Their treatment programs include:
- Day Treatment Program: A comprehensive, structured daytime recovery program offering group therapy, individual counseling, and psychiatric care.
- Half-Day Program: Ideal for individuals balancing treatment with work or caregiving responsibilities, offering flexible support and evidence-based care.
- Evening Program: Tailored for working adults, this program provides access to high-quality addiction and mental health treatment in the evening hours.
- Dual Diagnosis Care: For clients managing both substance use and mental health conditions, Insight offers integrated treatment that addresses both simultaneously.
- Specialized Tracks: Including focused treatment for alcohol use, opioids, prescription drugs, and other substances.
At Insight Recovery, no two recovery journeys are treated the same. The clinical team offers a deeply personalized approach. Whether you are just starting your journey or are seeking continued support, Insight Recovery is ready to meet you with expertise, empathy, and evidence-based solutions.
A Community United for Change
Mental health and substance use challenges are issues that impact every community, and Woburn is no exception. These struggles can affect individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life, yet too often, they are faced in silence. The stigma and shame associated with mental health disorders and substance use can create an invisible barrier, preventing people from seeking help. This stigma often reinforces feelings of isolation, making individuals feel as though they are alone in their struggles. Furthermore, a lack of access to care or resources can make it even more difficult for people to reach out for support, compounding their sense of hopelessness.
For many, the journey to recovery can seem overwhelming, with roadblocks at every turn. Whether it’s the fear of being judged, the uncertainty of where to find help, or the emotional burden of facing the reality of addiction or mental illness, the process of seeking help can feel like an insurmountable task. As a result, many people continue to suffer in silence, not knowing that support is available or feeling too ashamed to ask for it.
Events like the Live Free Fun Run are critical in breaking down these barriers and offering a beacon of hope. They shine a light on the vast array of resources and services available to individuals and families dealing with mental health and substance use challenges. By showcasing these resources in a public, accessible way, the event helps to normalize the conversation around mental health and addiction. It reassures those who may be struggling that help is not only available but encouraged, and that reaching out is a courageous and necessary step toward healing.
How to Participate
Pre-registration is highly suggested for the Fun Run/Walk. Registration is completely free and includes a complimentary event t-shirt (while supplies last). The check-in begins at 10:30 AM, and the run/walk will kick off at 11:00 AM sharp.
The festival portion—featuring vendors, food trucks, music, and more—will run from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and is open to all community members, regardless of participation in the run/walk.
To register, you can register here.
To learn more, contact Mackenzie Dezieck at:
📞 (781) 897-5894
📧 mdezieck@cityofwoburn.com
Let’s Walk (and Run) Toward a Healthier Future
The Live Free Fun Run is more than a Sunday event—it’s a statement of hope. It’s a day to celebrate progress, raise awareness, and support one another. It’s a reminder that recovery is not just possible—it’s something to be proud of.
Insight Recovery is honored to be a part of this movement and invites you to join us in making June 8 a day to remember. Whether you come to run, to listen, or to simply be a part of something meaningful, you are welcome.
Let’s come together, Woburn—and let’s live free.
Event Details at a Glance
Location: Ice House Park, Horn Pond, Woburn, MA
Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025
Check-in for Fun Run: 10:30 AM
Run/Walk Start Time: 11:00 AM
Festival Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Free registration & t-shirt
Music, Food trucks, Mental health resources, Giveaways
Contact Information
Mackenzie Dezieck
📞 (781) 897-5894
📧 mdezieck@cityofwoburn.com
