MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Organizers of Tri Uplifting: Lake County 2016 are readying for their second annual Mindfulness Triathlon slated for Saturday, Sept. 17.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Middletown Square Park, 21256 Washington St, Middletown.

This year’s event, sponsored by a generous grant from #LakeCountyRising, allows the first 100 sign ups to attend for free.

Most people think of participating in a triathalon as a huge physical undertaking, taking months to years to prepare for.

To help set the record straight, founder and co-organizer Melissa Kinsel explained, “Rather than being a traditional run/ bike/ swim triathlon, Tri Uplifting is yoga/ meditate/ walk event with a special twist--to help uplift ourselves and our community.” 

Co-organizers, JoAnn Saccato, MA and Merci Hoskins, will offer the meditation and yoga segments, respectively, while Kinsel will lead the 3K mindfulness walk portion. 

“There is so much more to Tri Uplifting than the events themselves,” Kinsel added. “The idea behind Tri Uplifting is what excites me the most. It’s all about intention, positivity, and creating a hopeful vision for the kind of place we want to live. It’s about coming together in a mindful, playful way to lift up and create good energy and good vibes.”

This year, Tri Uplifting event organizers received a grant to allow the first 100 registrants to attend for free.

The grant is from #LakeCountyRising, a fire relief fund started after the fires of 2015, and continuing to support fire-ravaged areas after the recent Clayton Fire, by a coalition of Lake County Winery Association member wineries.

Event attendees will have the opportunity to donate to #LakeCountyRising when registering for the event, but donations are not required.

Kinsel reflected, “We think it’s very significant that Lake County Rising supports this event and our community in this way.  Our focus this second year is to reinforce ongoing emotional, physical and economic fire recovery efforts in the South County area. Who doesn’t need an extra lift in our community right now?”

Attendees will be treated to a community market style festival during and after the event, with myriad local and regional vendors offering everything from information to samples of their goods and services, such as massage. Free tank tops will be available to the first 100 who register and attend the event.

Between and during the yoga, mediation, and walking portion of the event, there are opportunities for creative expression through various activities designed to get participants consciously thinking about what they want to create for themselves and our community.

“It will all be very colorful and celebratory,” explained Kinsel, “We focus on the positive so more of that can take root and grow.”

The yoga session, led by local yoga instructor, personal trainer, and life coach Merci Hoskins, will be a “yoga for every body” Hatha Yoga style class.

The guided meditation session, led by local mindfulness teacher, author, and life coach JoAnn Saccato, MA, will consist of becoming aware of important values for self and community and setting intention and action steps to bring those forth. 

The walking event will be a 3k (1.8 mile) walk through Middletown and up to Rabbit Hill, where a “Tree of Intention,” will be planted and festooned with ribbons full of ideas participants have for our community.

One of the goals of the organizers is to promote the economic recovery of the area, so the walking route will familiarize local and regional participants with Middletown’s downtown business area.

Kinsel, Hoskins and Saccato are collaborating with the Middletown Art Center (MAC) and the Lake County Land Trust for various parts of the event. They are seeking bodyworkers, local vendors, and acoustical musicians interested in playing background music during the event. Those interested can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For more information on the event and organizers, visit Tri Uplifting’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TriUpliftingLakeCounty , or send an email to  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . To register for the event visit www.eventbrite.com and enter Tri Uplifting Lake County in the search bar.