Health and Wellness Fair Kicks Off Fun and Fit Summer

Lemon Grove residents learned how to stay active this summer at the Health and Wellness Fair on Friday.

About 60 people attended the fair at the , which was hosted by the .

“It’s just to help keep people active during the summer months,” said Rick Oser, principal of .

A variety of community agencies and programs had booths and provided information about healthy summer activities for youth and adults.

“The reality is kids stay real busy during the school year, but schools shut down during the summer and kids aren’t as active during the summer,” said Oser, who helped coordinate the fair. “We’re finding ways to keep kids active and let them know about the community resources.”

Some of the youth services promoted at the fair were the Lemon Grove Recreation Center’s Summer Day Camp and the ’s various summer activities.

provided attendees information about

“We are part of the community, we live in the neighborhood and we feel it’s very important to have a dance studio here. We’re really one of the only places that has dance in Lemon Grove,” said owner Rebeca Lopez. “We really feel committed to our community to offer these classes.”

Some of the students from Spears Academy of Martial Arts demonstrated their skills for the crowd.

“We’re here just to show the kids and parents from the district that regardless of your age, fitness will take you a long way in your life,” said owner Larry Spears.

Spears, who also works at Golden Avenue Elementary School, said about 80 of his 125 martial arts students are from the district.

Zumba students and brave fair attendees also showed off their moves. Instructor Evelyn Torres has led free Zumba classes at on Mondays and Wednesdays for two years.

“I do it for the community,” said Torres, who has 40 students. “I love it. I love doing it!”

Other fair participants included , Home Start, Institute for Public Strategies, , , and more.

In addition to offering informational booths, the Health and Wellness Fair kicked off Summer Fitness Nights, which will take place during the summer break at the Lemon Grove Recreation Center. Adults and children are invited to jog and walk around the field Fridays evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

“In the past, we’ve enjoyed the walks,” said fair attendee Bob Holaday. “It’s a good thing. You get to walk with other people in the community.”

Friday’s Health and Wellness Fair was the second time the school district kicked off summer fitness activities.

Robin McNulty, the director of the school district’s Nutrition Services Department, said she was happy to see interested community members at the fair.

“What’s exciting is I see more adults this time, and they’re the ones that bring everybody,” said McNulty, who also helped coordinate the fair. “It’s really exciting just to see people that you don’t usually see.”

McNulty encouraged children and adults to participate in Summer Fitness Nights. Participants earn raffle tickets for various prizes after they complete so many laps, she added.

“Come out and have fun with us,” she said. “Give it a try—you might meet a new friend. You’re going to like it.”

Summer Fitness Nights will be held every Friday from June 10 through Aug. 26.