Alcorn Extension to Host Health and Wellness Fair for Youth and Families

Alcorn Extension to Host Health and Wellness Fair for Youth and Families

Alcorn State University School of Agriculture, Research, Extension, and Applied Sciences (AREAS) invites youth and families to join in its health and wellness fair, June 10-11, 2016 in downtown Natchez along the Bluff.

Joshua A. Coleman, agribusiness educator for small farm outreach and training technical assistance for Alcorn's Extension program, explained the purpose of the event.

“We want to bring awareness to issues surrounding health and wellness in our state, and promote the resources that Alcorn Extension Program offers to combat the problem,” said Coleman. “Also, June is health and fitness month, so our event fits right in."

The health and wellness fair will kick off with a youth fun and fitness day on the morning of Friday, June 10 along the Natchez Bluff. The youth will have an opportunity to prepare healthy meals and present them as a donation to the Natchez Stewpot. Extension’s Power of 3 Health and Wellness Program will present activities that promote gardening, nutrition, and physical activity.

Saturday, June 11 the 5K registration will begin at 7:00 a.m., and the race will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the gazebo on the Natchez Bluff. Race categories will be age groups 13-18, 19-30, 31-50, and 51 and over. The first winners in each category will receive a medal and a gift certificate from RoadID. The health fair and healthy cooking challenge will kick off at 9:00 a.m. also, by the gazebo and will feature local medical providers, stores that specialize in athletic wear, and other entities with a role in health and wellness.

The healthy cooking challenge will feature local restaurants that will take one of their own signature menu items and modify it to be healthier. The modified meals will be judged by participants, and a winner will be recognized as being the healthiest restaurant in the city by the Natchez Tricentennial Committee and featured in The Natchez Magazine. There will also be a family fun day that will start at 9:00 a.m. along the Natchez Bluff as well, and will feature inflatable obstacle courses and a rock wall.

Race admission fee is $5. You can pre-register online at www.alcorn.edu/5k-run-walk. On-site registration will also be accepted. For more information on this event, contact Jacqueline Ford, program field coordinator, at (601) 786-3131 or [email protected].

Former student media intern Déjà Harris,’16, contributed to this story.