Anticipating about 5,000 participants, indicators showed organizers of the YMCA Healthy Kids Day they would exceed those numbers Sunday morning at Canada Games Plaza.
The event started at 11 but people were lined up for their free T-shirts down Canada Games Way at 10:15, said Stephanie Mikalishen-Deol, YMCA manager of philanthropy, marketing & camps.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day is a national event so every YMCA across Canada celebrates it," Mikalishen-Deol said. "For us Healthy Kids Day is a really big mission piece. We believe in building healthy communities and promoting healthy living to help children and families thrive. Healthy Kids Day is a free event and featured activities like making bracelets, planting a flower to take home to mom, making your own bannock and roasting it over an open flame. There were no less than three bouncy castles, mini golf, a petting farm, and target practice with a modified version of archery that saw children dip the blunt sponge tip of their arrow into paint and then take aim at the targets.
There were physical fitness engagement pieces at centre stage where Shannon Johnson, centre operations manager at the YMCA of Northern B.C., tried to get the crowd warmed up.
Eight-year-old Kyana didn't want to leave Johnson doing a solo so she stepped into the wide open space to follow along to the moves Johnson demonstrated to a thumping beat.
Kyana's mom Emily Kearnan said her daughter and son Logan, 11, are always keen about fitness.
"I exercise to get into shape," Kyana explained, who plays tennis and participates in dance classes.
And Logan?
I play video games," he deadpans before mom intercedes to say both children participate in football with the Axemen of the Prince George Minor Football Association and their dad, Desmond Webb, is vice president, so it's definitely a family activity.
"Healthy Kids Day is good family fun," Emily said.
For the YMCA of Northern B.C. is all about giving back to the community, Mikalishen-Deol said.
"Our goal is to bring families together today to help them live healthy in a fun way and to put them in touch with resources to help them live healthier lives all year long."
