DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – With bouncy houses, music, face painting, exercise classes, and more, eight-year-old Veda Jeanetta had a hard time choosing the best part of Healthy Kids Day.
“My favorite part is everything,” said Veda Jeanetta.
Veda and her older brother Ryker are no strangers to the Downtown Duluth YMCA, as they visit often to swim, but after attending Healthy Kids Day last year, they knew it was an event not to miss.
“I would recommend it,” said Ryker Jeanetta. “It’s a lot of fun. It has a lot of friendly people.”
The Downtown Y is just one of hundreds of YMCA locations across the country that take part in the day, celebrating kids’ health and encouraging active play.
YMCA youth development coordinator Emily Rice says they hold the free event annually.
“It’s busy,” said Rice. “Controlled chaos, but kids come in with a smile, and they leave with a smile, and that’s our mission today is just to make sure kids are having fun.”
According to the YMCA, nearly 1.2 million children nationwide are expected to take part in the event on Saturday, with the Downtown Y estimating 300-500 of those would pass through their doors.
Local organizations tabled at the event to show families the many resources available to help kids stay healthy and happy.
“When they’re coming in and seeing all of the fun things we do, we just want to encourage them to go out and do that out in the real world and also to come into the Y and participate in our programs,” said Rice.
The Superior YMCA and the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown also took part on Saturday, hosting their own festivities.
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