Being healthy, eating well and getting active should be fun, especially for children. Inspiring that lifestyle is the goal of University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Healthy Kids Festival, which celebrates all things related to wellness. Extension invites families with young children to its 11th annual festival, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sept. 30, that features a day of fun activities, including music and dancing, gardening, chef demonstrations, a fruit and vegetable market, prizes, and more. The event will be at the Paradise Recreation Center, 4775 S. McLeod Drive, and is open to all but is especially designed for families with children between the ages of 3 and 8 years old.

“Parents love this fun-filled day that’s full of resources for their families and children,” Marina Amaya, Extension health promotion and outreach coordinator, said. “We love making it a fun way to educate families on the many ways they can stay active and be healthy.”

Last year’s event presented childhood obesity awareness and prevention to over 1,000 attendees. Reaching out and empowering families of young children is the key to successful, healthy living, according to Amaya. Parents and families will learn how to support and model positive and healthy eating habits and how to incorporate physical activity into their young children’s daily routines.

The Healthy Kids Festival is held every September, which is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and is sponsored by the Southern Nevada Health District, Commissioner Jim Gibson, Las Vegas Metro Police Department (South Central Area Command) and Paradise Recreation Center.

While the event is free, advanced registration is encouraged. For more information, contact Amaya.

Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should contact Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, at 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.