Fitness Fair draws crowds

After a successful initial run, it looks like there is life in the school district’s Lifelong Fitness Fair.

“It was better than anyone imagined ? and expectations were already high,” Assistant Superintendent Steven Keller said of the event, held Saturday at El Morro Elementary School.

More than 1,000 fairgoers wandered from booth to booth, gathering health information and watching demonstrations.

Dancers, martial artists, BMX riders, and soccer and volleyball scrimmages were among the more than 65 exhibitors who attended.

Event organizer Lori Burgi said she has received “tons of e-mails” with positive reactions.

“There was something for everyone. All of the booths were visited,” Burgi said.

A group offering skin-cancer screening was one of the most popular booths, Burgi said.

Parent and dermatologist Wieke Liem worked with six other doctors to take special photos of people that would reveal sun damage.

Liem’s group reported screening 15 participants every hour, with a total of more than 300 photos taken, Burgi said.

Another popular booth belonged to TRKEY, a make-yourown-T-shirt shop.

“Kids were busy there all day,” Burgi said.

A zip line, which kids could ride 100 feet, and a rock climbing wall provided entertainment throughout the day.

Local restaurants giving away smoothies and energy drinks were also kept busy, Burgi said.

With one successful fair in the books, Burgi anticipates there will be more in the coming years.

“It helps to raise awareness for the kids,” Burgi said. (LA)cpt.26-fitnessday-2-CPhotoInfoO21RAPC720060526izu3amncNo Captioncpt.26-fitnessday-1-CPhotoInfoO21RAP9N20060526izu39anc(LA)The Coronado Speed Spinners represent the American Heart Assn. at the school district’s Lifelong Fitness Fair. Below, a member of the Giant BMX team flies through the air.