Mark Your Calendars – March 8th – Children’s Healthy Fun Fair

Pancake Day will soon be over and done with.  Later this week, you (and your kids) may feel like you have a spare tire around your midsection from eating 27 pancakes during the pancake eating contest.  While stuffing your face can be fun, I usually regret it and try to eat healthier.  This Saturday, you have a chance to learn everything about how to get and stay healthy in Liberal.  That means it is time for the eleventh annual Children’s Healthy Fun Fair.  

This year, the fair will be held on March 8^th from 10:00 to 1:00 at the Ag building at the Seward County Fairgrounds.  Just as in years past, the idea of the fair is to bring together all the organizations in the community who work towards improving the health of children and families in one easy place.  These organizations will be giving out information, giving tips and showing kids and their families through games and exhibits that being and staying healthy can be fun.

Since this is my first year doing the Children’s Healthy Fun Fair, I am really excited to see how it is coming together, and it is kind of amazing to see just how many organizations are working together to make this thing happen.   Of course, Liberal Memorial Library is going to have an area there (complete with Wii, so kids can dance, play and move to stay healthy), so stop by and say hello. 

Here’s how the Fun Fair works.  You walk in the door and you grab a bag from the welcome table.  You will probably collect so much information and giveaways from the tables that you need to make sure to have a bag.  Go around to each table, talk, ask questions, get information, and have fun.  Some of the tables have information, but some of them have games and demonstrations.  Once you get home, go through the information and try to use in in real life.  The goal of the Fair isn’t just to have fun, but to also educate the community and get them active and healthier.

You are probably wondering who is going to be there and what you can do.  Liberal Parks and Rec bring games for kids to play.  They take up a good part of the new section of the Ag Building with sports related activities that get kids moving.  USD480 comes out with different things for children to do.  They usually have their photo booth up and running, printing pictures out for the kids.  Southwest Medical Center will be there answering the question of whether or not you really wash your hands well enough, so if you think a quick rinse under cold water is enough, stop by and see how yucky your hands can really get.  SCCC Respiratory Technology brings in pig lungs to show how smoke can damage your lungs.  The Seward County Health Department and WIC will also be at the Fun Fair, so stop by their table and find out about the services that they offer.  Both Seward County and the City of Liberal are sending representatives from their police and fire departments to help families stay safe.  

There are so many more organizations that are coming, that I can’t name them all.  Plus, a little mystery might just want to make you go!  I promise that next year (after I have actually seen the Children’s Healthy Fun Fair in action) I will be able to describe what everyone does better.  But I can guarantee that families looking for something to do next Saturday will have a great time if they do attend.