There are so many great things about dance! It's active, fun, there's no equipment needed, anyone can do it, and it's FREE!!!

Fox Network's So You Think You Can Dance executive producer and judge, Nigel Lythgoe, has declared this Saturday, July 31, NATIONAL DANCE DAY and Congresswoman, Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a long-time proponent of healthy lifestyles, will introduce a National Dance Day resolution at a press conference on Saturday, to promote dance education and physical fitness across the U.S.

From the SYTYCD blog here is the rundown on National Dance Day:

WHAT: NATIONAL DANCE DAY, a grassroots initiative that encourages the nation, young and old, to move! Individuals, families, organizations and communities from across the nation come together through their creative expression in dance. Any style of dance is welcome and imagination is recommended in order to get the most out of this celebratory day.

WHEN: Saturday, July 31

WHY: To continue to generate national awareness for dance, a medium of expression and storytelling which, through shows like So You Think You Can Dance, has proven its value in bringing individuals from all walks of life together through a positive platform that has no boundaries and cultivates imagination and passion. Most importantly, the day is intended to promote health and wellness nationwide.

Here are several ways you can celebrate National Dance Day and Get Movin' at the same time!

Why not try out a ballroom dance class in your area? Or a Zumba class? Now that's a workout!  If you have registered for the Get Movin' program and met your goals this week, you can use one of the many reward coupons in the Playbook - there are several with a dance theme!

Have you ever seen a flash mob? Check out this one perfomed in Seattle this spring. If you think it's fun to watch, you should try participating - it is an experience not to be missed!
 
One Degree Events, the same group who organized this Glee Flash Mob, is hosting another "Dance Flash Mob" in Seattle this Saturday to celebrate National Dance Day. Anyone can participate, all you need to do is RSVP to the event, practice the moves in the video on their Facebook page (or attend a rehearsal - there's one tonight!) and then show up at the designated time and place (they will send you a message via Facebook.)

Also the SYTYCD group is hoping that you will show them your dance moves! This dance routine has been specifically designed by the Dizzy Feet Foundation for National Dance Day! Learn this routine or make up your own, film it, and post your videos here on their FB page.

If you do decide to share, we'd love to see your videos too! You can upload them to our Facebook page, or come on back to our blog and post a comment with a link to their page! Don't forget to show your support of the Get Movin' program and wear your t-shirt!

Whatever you decide to do for National Dance Day, just be sure to have fun and Get Movin' to some music!

Tags Dance  National Dance Day  Flash Mob  So You Think You Can Dance 

Posted by Kristin Price at 1:56 PM 3 Comments

July is National Parks and Recreation Month!

Celebrate, Advocate and Recreate!

Since 1985 this country has celebrated National Parks and Recreation Month . Each year in July, the National Parks and Recreation Association encourages Americans to get out, enjoy their parks, and to recognize the importance of parks and recreation to the quality of life.

What better way to Get Movin' than to spend an afternoon at the park throwing the frisbee, running through the water features, walking the dog, shooting hoops, or even just enjoying the good old fashioned slide and swingset? Get movin' to one of your local parks today!

Don't know where to start? Here are some links to city parks in Snohomish County:
Arlington
Edmonds
Everett
Lynnwood
Marysville
Mill Creek
Monroe
Mountlake Terrace
Snohomish

Additional parks in Snohomish County:
Snohomish County Parks

For even more inspiration, read about the KaBOOM Park-a-Day Summer Challenge! Eight moms across the country have been challenged to find a new park in their community every day this summer and share what they find. What new parks in your area could you explore?

We'd love to hear what you are doing to celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month! Leave us a comment below! What's your favorite local park? What do you plan to do to celebrate this month?  

The National Parks and Recreation Association also wants to know what you are doing to celebrate this month. You can participate in their Social Media Project for the month of July. Just print out this sign, take a photo/video of you getting active in a park, and then tweet it, facebook it, blog about, or post it to flicker, youtube - whatever you favorite social media site is - just share it! Come back here and post a link so we can see you getting active too! Don't forget to wear your Get Movin' shirt!

Posted by Kristin Price at 2:22 PM 0 Comments

Marysville Parks and Recreation invites your family to join in all-ages fun and physical fitness this summer. Last week, they kicked off their popular summer program, the All-Comers Track and Field Meets. Lace up your running shoes because the fun continues tonight!

A great way to stay "Movin'" while you help Marysville become a "Healthier Community" and meet your neighbors. Track and field meets run Thursday nights through July 29, starting at 6 p.m. In the past the event has been held at the Marysville-Pilchuck High School field but it is undergoing renovations this year, so the meets are being held in a special location at Lakewood High School Stadium, 17023 11th Ave. NE, in Marysville.

All-Comers track meets are meant to be enjoyable and informal no matter your age or skill level. Also, they’re a fun stepping stone for kids who may never have tried track and field events before, in a not-too-competitive, low pressure atmosphere. Participants can enter an unlimited number of events, unless otherwise noted, by age or height restrictions. All-Comers meets, now in their fourth year, are one of several low-cost recreational opportunities that meet the policy goals of the Marysville Healthy Communities Project aimed at combating obesity in the community through promotion of more physical activity and healthier eating.

Summer 2010 All-Comers Track & Field Meets
6 p.m. Thursdays July 8-29
Lakewood High School Stadium
Track & field fun for the whole family, all ages & skill levels!



RUNNING EVENTS:
50-meter hurdles, 100m hurdles, 110m hurdles, 50m, 100m, 800m, joggers mile, 200m, 1600m, 400m, 400m relay and 1600m relay. A long distance run will be offered at the end of each event as shown below, with a 3K run on July 8 and 22, and a 5K run on July 15 and 29. Long jump, standing long jump, softball throw, shot put and high jump.


FIELD EVENTS:
Long jump, standing long jump, softball throw, shot put and high jump.





Participants can pre-register at the Parks and Recreation Office, 6915 Armar Road, or register on-site at 5:30 p.m. Cost to enter is $3 per person.

For more event information, or to volunteer, please contact Marysville Parks and Recreation at (360) 363-8400 or e-mail dhall@marysvillewa.gov.

Tags Exercise  Marysville  Parks and Recreation  City of Marysville  Track & Field  Family events 

Posted by Kristin Price at 12:12 PM 1 Comments