CircusFit teaches kids about fitness, diet
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Kelly the Clown entertains children at the Flowood YMCA while teaching about diet and fitness.
What started with fun and games ended with valuable lessons on diet and fitness for a group of kids at the Flowood YMCA.
Kelly Ballagh, who performs as Kelly the Clown with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, presented the CircusFit program recently to nearly 75 children at the Y. Most were a group of 5- to 12-year-olds who attend the Y’s summer camp, but a few came just for CircusFit.
“I was baby-sitting today and heard about this on the radio and thought it would be fun,” said Sonny Wolgamott of Madison, who came with his 9- and 7-year-old grandchildren. “Maybe they’ll pick up something that will motivate them to exercise and not sit in front of the TV.”
Kelly the Clown spent his first five minutes goofing off, then turned to more serious lessons.
“It’s about making physical fitness fun,” he said. “I’m here to teach you circus skills … when you work out, you’re supposed to have fun.”
He juggled. He balanced hats on his nose. He did both while using the “rolla bolla.”
“Skateboarders and surfers do this,” he said, of the board atop a pipe which he balanced on while juggling three batons.
In between, he also talked about eating right.
“If you eat too much chocolate and too many chips, that’s not good for you,” he said. “And make sure you drink a lot of water too. If you exercise, it’s important to drink a lot of water.”
Kelly the Clown also invited the kids to come to the circus, which will be at the Mississippi Coliseum from Sept. 4-7. An hour before show times, circus goers can interact with the animals and performers during a pre-show.
William Christian, 6, of Brandon, said Kelly the Clown’s performance was very cool. “I like what he just did,” he said, of the juggling act.
“I home school my children and I saw this in the paper,” said Stacey Williams of Brandon, who came with her 7-, 6- and 4-year-olds. “I’m hoping it will get my children to get more active … They like clowns.”
For discounted coupons to the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey presentation of BOOM A RING, Sept. 4-7 at the Mississippi Coliseum, visit http://www.mississippimoms.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=MOMS&templ.... For more information about diet and fitness, visit www.GetFitMississippi.com.
