Cherry Creek Schools hosted its fifteenth annual Fitness Festival on Saturday, September 12th. It was operated by the Community Assist Program (CAP), which raises money to support lifelong healthy living.  The goal of this program is to increase awareness for bullying prevention, suicide prevention, drug/alcohol prevention, positive school climate initiatives, social-emotional learning programs, and practices that support enhancements in nutritional and physical activity during the school day.

Located by Stutler Bowl, the Festival encouraged everyone to come and participate. The festival was a great way to get a workout, but more importantly, it was a great way to support our children in the Cherry Creek School Districts. The money raised in the festival went to social and emotional learning programs that sixty-one Cherry Creek Schools have to offer. Since the start of the CCSFF, the event has raised more than $872,000 for the CAP/CCSD Wellness Office Partnership.

     There was a wide range of activities to participate in the Fitness Festival. There were vendors that had the runners participate in games such as: spin the wheel, bean bag toss, and many drawing where you can win prizes like gift cards. the vendors included: Kaiser Permanente, First American State Bank, and the Rotary Club of Aurora Foundations.  Starting at 7:00 am, participants were off to the races. This was where the registration opened and pre-race fitness activities began. At 8:00 am, many families began their run, volunteers passed out free t-shirts.

     At 8:30, the 5k run commenced, where many individuals had a chance to win prizes. At 9:00 hunger struck, and many food samplings from local restaurants came to support the hungry runners. These restaurants and stores include Trader Joe’s, Chick-Fil-A, Maui Wowi, and Taziki’s.

     Many “tunes” were also played during the Festival.  “Many students who play an instrument come together and create their own band, many of their parents are also part of a band too,” exclaimed Barbara Garrison, one of the volunteers at the festival,  “In fact, a well known parent band called, Domestic Animals, who play around the community came and played too!”

     Finally, at 10:00, the much-anticipated Award Ceremony began. “The top three male and female overall winners will receive a medal and $50 gift card. Top male/female in youth age groups (7 and under, 8-10, 11-13, 14-16, 17-19) obtain a medal and $50 gift card.Top male and female (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+) get a medal as well,” According to the Cherry Creek Fitness Festival website.  Everyone’s became winner and was encouraged to participate.

     All donations went to a great cause. The festival was a huge hit within the community, many people spent a beautiful day with their families.