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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Sports-focused event will encourage Laredoans young and old to get moving

 (Laredo, TX  )  Running.  Hopping. Skipping.  Jumping.  Playing tag. A pick of game of baseball or kick the can.  Riding bikes.  These are just some of the many outdoor activities children used to frequently engage in.  Now, however, today’s youth spend less time being physically active and tend to exchange physical for sedentary play and you will more likely find them sitting in front of a TV or video game, with soda and chips in hand, then chasing each other in the backyard.  That’s why District III Council Member Alex Perez, Jr. has decided to host the first ever Get Out & Play Laredo!, this Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Slaughter Park, 202 North Stone Avenue, a FREE, fun-filled, family-oriented, outdoor event designed to encourage kids and their parents to be active, get fit and stay healthy.

 “I want kids to come out to Slaughter Park, our beautiful sports complex and have fun playing and learning how to be healthy,” said Cm. Perez.  “This event will have something for everyone, including mom and dad.  We want everyone to get out and play!”

 In order to help children – or adults – promise to be active and healthy, a pledge board, hosted by Keep Laredo Beautiful and Radio Rama 99.3 FM will feature Ranger Rick, a cute raccoon mascot that encourages outdoor play, healthy activities and taking care of Mother Nature.  Anyone can sign the pledge board, stating:

“As a Friend of Ranger Rick, I promise…..

§  To explore the wonders of nature around me,

§  To learn the importance of every living thing,

§  To live every day as Earth’s best friend, and

§  To help my friends and family do the same!

§  To get OUTSIDE and PLAY, LEARN & LIVE!”

 To help keep kids active and entertained, a line-up of sports drills will be offered including: 

            Soccer drills – with members of the Laredo Heat and TAMIU Soccer Team

            Golf putting – hosted by Laredo Golf Association members

            Baseball – led by professional baseball Coach Ricardo Cuevas

            Kayaking mock drills – demonstrations, supplies and lessons by Big River Outfitters

            Zumba – Parks & Leisure Services instructors will lead a community wide session

 A jumping castle will be available for smaller kids and the ever popular petting zoo, favored by the young, and young at heart, will also be featured.  Other activities include kid fingerprinting hosted by the Laredo Police Department Community Relations Unit, who will also be patrolling up in the air with their Observation Tower; the Fire Safety House by the Laredo Fire Department; a water balloon relay race and scavenger hunt by Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL); and wildflower planting by Keep Laredo Beautiful.  Media sponsors Radio Rama, made up of Classic Hits 99.3 FM, Estero Vida 102.3 FM and Ke Buena 1410 AM, along with Laredo’s Good Neighbor Station KGNS, The CW and Telemundo will have a presence at the event, as well as the American Red Cross.

 Additionally, a limited number of bubbles and hot dogs and water will be given away to attendees, while supplies last.  Local food vendors will sell food and other drinks, as well. 

 An estimated nine million U.S. children are considered obese. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website, childhood obesity is on the rise and research shows that being overweight in childhood can increase one’s risk for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and gall bladder disease. Self-reported data indicates that almost one quarter of children 9-13 years of age engage in no free-time physical activity during a typical week.