ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Next month, the YMCA of Western North Carolina will host a free, family-friendly event to encourage a happy, healthy start to the summer season.

Healthy Kids Day will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 18 at either the Hendersonville Family YMCA or the Corpening Memorial YMCA.

The event, sponsored by Peanuts and Gatorade, will featured games, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, over 25 vendor booths and more.

“It is so important for kids to stay active over the summer, both physically and mentally,” said Ashley Shores, executive director of programs at the YMCA of WNC, in a press release. “At the Y, we believe in providing resources for families to create healthy habits, no matter the time of year. Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community-wide event that encourages families to take advantage of all the great summer activities the Y and community partners have to offer.”

The program coincides with a larger YMCA celebration in honor of the organization’s 175th anniversary.

“Healthy Kids Day reflects the Y’s longstanding mission of strengthening communities and helping youth reach their full potential, a mission that has guided the organization for 175 years and continues to shape its work today,” the Y wrote in the release.

For more information, visit www.ymcawnc.org/healthykidsday.

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