Families with children of all ages in the Knoxville area will be treated to a free outdoor event filled with activities, educational demonstrations, and giveaways at the 5th annual Knoxville Let’s Move! Event held on Saturday, May 7, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Victor Ashe Park, 4901 Bradshaw Road.
This event is free to the public and will showcase 75 nutrition and activity stations focused on educating families to eat healthier and move more outside.
Mayor Madeline Rogero and Superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cassius Cash, will speak to kids and their families at 1 p.m. on the center stage to emphasize the importance of outdoor play.
Those in attendance will be able to use an adventure map to guide them along the fun-filled greenway, which will feature over 75 interactive activity stations. Families will be able to participate in various activities and receive free giveaways, including a FitBit drawing every half hour.
“One of my favorite things about Parks and Recreation is seeing people explore and discover new activities that lead to healthy lifestyle habits they love,” said Joe Walsh, Director of Parks and Recreation. “The Let’s Move! Event provides an expanded opportunity for people to do just that, all in one location.”
As part of the Knoxville Let’s Move! Event, there will be a demonstration stage where various groups will perform, prepare food, and teach about healthy alternatives. Local students will lead a Let’s Move! Flash Mob at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The local Let’s Move! Event is a part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s national campaign to fight childhood obesity.
In 2013, the National League of Cities ranked Knoxville and Knox County No.1 in the nation for excelling in health and wellness goals for “Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties,” a rank that both municipalities hold to date.
The Let’s Move! Event was originally initiated by Knox County Schools Coordinated Health and City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation.
Community organizers of the Knoxville Let’s Move! Event include City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation, Knox County Schools, the Childhood Obesity Coalition, UT Extension, Knox County Health Department, UT Department of Nutrition, TENNderCare and Great Schools Partnership, as well as representatives from The Home Depot and Wal-Mart.
Let’s Move! Event sponsors include Wal-Mart, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Subway, The Home Depot, Walgreens, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Trust, the Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center, Amerigroup Real Solutions, the Boys and Girls Club of the East Tennessee Valley and Tennessee Coordinated School Health.
For more on the Let’s Move! Event, visit www.LetsMoveKnox.com or call 311.
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