PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 22, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Want to find a great way to beat the winter blues or cabin fever? Get the family off the couch and take them ice skating outdoors, it is the healthy way to enjoy winter!
The Independence Blue Cross Eighth Annual HEALTHY KIDS FEST celebrates ways to have fun that are also good for you too. With panoramic views of the Delaware River, Philadelphia City Skyline and the majestic Benjamin Franklin Bridge, ice skating at the Blue Cross RiverRink is the perfect outdoor activity for exercising this winter. The celebration will take place on Saturday, January 8 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Blue Cross RiverRink on Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street.
Partners in this important event promoting health awareness will be the Police Athletic League (PAL) of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Department of Health. The PAL Dance Team and Cheerleading team will be on-site to participate along with various health experts. The Philadelphia Department of Health will distribute information about their various health programs. The primary mission of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health is to promote and ensure the availability, accessibility, and quality of preventive and personal health services necessary to protect and improve the health and well being of the Philadelphia community.
HEALTHY KIDS FEST will feature information and tips for Moms, Dads, and Kids on how to stay healthy during these tough winter months. There will be interactive games and speakers with useful and free information. One of the party rooms inside the heated pavilion will be turned into a live workout center or mini-gym.
Fitness expert, Kimberly Garrison will give two (2) thirty minute talks about healthy lifestyle choices and fitness for kids. Kimberly Garrison is the founder of One on One Ultimate Fitness, a health and fitness consultation and training company.
Kimberly has made a life long commitment to physical vitality and has over 20 years of bodywork expertise and over a decade of experience in the fitness industry. Kimberly is an AFPA certified personal trainer, AAAI/ISMA Group Fitness Instructor, Pilates Instructor, IDEA Personal Trainer Member, ACSM member, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in holistic health and nutrition. You can find more information about her at www.1on1ultimatefitness.com.
Also speaking about fitness and health will be Lawrence Robinson, MD, MPH, Deputy Health Commissioner Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As Deputy Commissioner for Health Promotion/Disease Prevention for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Dr. Robinson is responsible for development, planning, coordination, and evaluation of various programs delivering comprehensive medical, preventive, and health education services.
Dalton G. Paxman, the health administrator for the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will also contribute to the program. Dr. Paxman administers public health programs in emergency preparedness, minority health, population affairs, and women's health.
Added to the entertainment will be FREE activities including face-painting, make and take crafts, caricatures, and balloon artistry. There will be various games set up for the kids to try, designed to increase coordination and promote good sportsmanship.
The Blue Cross RiverRink offers skating lessons for those who want a healthy way to enjoy winter and offers children with disabilities the opportunity to stay active and healthy through the winter sport of Sled Skating! There will be a Skating lesson information table with applications for regular lessons, sled skating lessons and a sled skate on display.
The Sled Skate is a specially designed sled equipped with regulation skate blades. Sled skaters can use two "grip sticks" with metal-spiked tips to propel themselves along the ice, or skaters can be assisted by someone who pushes the skater on the ice with the aid of a handlebar attached to the back of the sled. In addition to being a fun wintertime activity at the Blue Cross RiverRink, sled skating also offers participants the health benefits of increasing their strength and improving their balance and coordination.
B101 radio will visit the Blue Cross RiverRink as part of this event celebrating kids. They will have crafts and special giveaways along with their mascot Buzzbee on Saturday from 12:30-2:30pm. Kids will also have a chance to run, jump, stretch and play as part of physical fitness demonstrations and winter workout challenges.
HEALTHY KIDS FEST activities are free to the public. Skating sessions cost $6 per person and are available during HEALTHY KIDS FEST from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Public Skating Sessions are as follows: Mondays through Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Fridays 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Saturdays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Sundays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., and 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Skate to a live DJ every Friday and Saturday Night from 9 p.m. to 12 midnight.
Independence Blue Cross is the title sponsor of the Blue Cross RiverRink. Other sponsors include: PNC Bank, NBC 10, METRO Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.
The Blue Cross RiverRink is located on Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street. For more information on HEALTHY KIDS FEST, skating times, lessons, birthday parties or private sessions, please call 215.925.RINK or visit www.riverrink.com.
The Penn's Landing Corporation logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=349
The Blue Cross RiverRink logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=354