Health-Fitness EXPO 2011 will be big

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Health and Wellness Center at MacDill has held health and fitness expos in the past, but this year's event promises to be the best yet.

Tampa Memorial Hospital has come on board as a "super sponsor" of the Health-Fitness EXPO 2011, said Joan Craft, HAWC director, and there will be "tons of things" to see and do. The event opens with a ceremony at 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at the MacDill Fitness Center. The free expo runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On the program will be a gladiator game wrecking ball competition, a Harley Davidson motorcycle safety demonstration, exhibits from the Museum of Science and Industry of Tampa, CBS Radio Broadcasting, the Ray's Street Team, and even a few Gasparilla pirates.

There will be a on-site book store, Feet First Shoe Analysis and a military police dog demo courtesy of the canine unit of the 6th Security Forces. MacDill Outdoor Recreation will also be on hand, along with 34 other base agencies.

In addition to entertainment aspects, the expo will feature a wide range of helpful clinics and fitness-based displays and services, including free health screenings, mammogram and dermatology appointments, the Moffit Mole Patrol, along with the VA Clinic bus, the FBS Blood Mobile, and the Kraft Health and Wellness Bus.

"It's going to be a fabulous time this year," said Craft. "There's going to be more to see and do than you could ever want."

There will be lots of giveaways, as well, said Craft. Those who visit the event website at www.macdillafb.bestofhealth.com and print out a page there, can bring it to the HAWC booth at the expo to receive a special free gift.

While the event is geared as a day of fun, at the heart is an effort to inform and educate attendees about the importance of following good health and fitness practices. It is an especially important message for servicemembers, who must be fit and ready when duty calls, said Craft.

"It's almost impossible to go over everything we're going to have, so everyone just needs to come out and see it," said Craft. "It's something you don't want to miss."