Fit & Fun

LEFT: Avid walker Dick Ross is ready for many miles in his walking shoes, shorts, and T-shirt. A fashion show featuring active wear was presented by Goody’s. RIGHT:Amanda Young is headed for a work out in her screen print top and light weight shorts.

The inaugural Wellness and Fitness Fair ‘ Feel Great in 2008, was a successful event enjoyed by hundreds of visitors Saturday at the McMinnville Civic Center. The first 250 adults and children received gifts for attending, with the kids getting jump ropes and the adults getting drawstring bags.

McMinnville Parks and Recreation, along with the Get Fit McMinnville committee, planned the fun day emphasizing physical fitness. Program organizer Kristie Sanders welcomed over 30 exhibitors surrounding the stage offering a variety of services related to exercise and healthy living.

Warren County Saddle Club president Lucy Eastman manned a booth promoting horseback riding, Curves For Women registered ladies for exercise classes, McMinnville Tennis Association educated visitors about the sport and even re-strung racquets on site. Other vendors provided skin care ideas, cooking tips, a bicycle exhibit, and healthy eating choices.

Entertainment on center stage was provided by parks and recreation instructors, a martial arts demonstration by Gary Steele Karate, a fashion show of exercise clothes from Goody’s, a performance by Paula’s Dance Academy, a Tai Chi Arthritis demonstration by Hilda Lytle, and a healthy cooking demonstration by River Park Hospital.

A lecture on exercise and aging was presented by Tim King, and the special guest was commissioner of health Susan Cooper, RN. She is part of Governor Bredeson’s Get Fit Tennessee Team, unveiling a new, interactive Web site tool to help Tennesseans ‘Get Fit.’

She explained the new, free, interactive Fitness Tracker tool on the Get Fit Web site, which features tools to encourage healthier living through accountably. Users keep track of their health and fitness goals, weight, exercise and more.

‘I had a wonderful time today, participating in the fitness fair. I appreciate the extra effort put out by organizers to have the event,’ said Cooper. ‘This county is setting the stage, improving one person, one family, one city, one county at a time to make a better state.’

To learn more about Get Fit Tennessee, visit www.GetFitTN.com.