Sponsored by Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter the third annual Family Fitness and Fun Day took place at the UMass-Dartmouth Tripp Athletic Center on March 23, 2013. Dozens of children and adults gathered with former Red Sox pitcher Brian Rose, who now works in the District Attorney's Office, talk about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, which includes a healthy diet and plenty of physical activity. Following a twenty-minute Zumba warm-up with Dawn Marie Cetrone of Howland Place Fitness, participants were divided into groups to participate in a variety of fun activities, including an obstacle course, a boot camp work-out, a yoga class, and a nutrition and cooking demonstration by UMass Dining Service staff. And, everyone had an opportunity to visit resource tables from over a dozen organizations, including Partner's Soda-Free Demonstration, as well as get their cholesterol checked by the Southcoast Hospital Cardiac Prevention Program. People could also get information about the free sports clinics, which Mr. Rose offers across Bristol County. Click here for a 13-minute video of the event. Click here for photos of last year's event. For more information, contact Brian Rose at 508-961-1972.

(Top row, left and right) Partners School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard talks to children and parents about the problems with drinking soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages. (Top row, center) Howland Place Fitness staff member Dawn Marie Cetrone gets ready to lead a Zumba group in the main gym with Red Sox pitcher Brian Rose. (Rows two and three) The Zumba warm-up gets everyone going before the start of the groups, including yoga. (Row four) Participants join in a boot camp style work-out with the UMass-Dartmouth Shotokan Karate Club while others join the dining service staff for a healthy salad in the fitness center cafe. (Bottom row) Marnie Amaral and her daughter, Katie, enjoy a salad before Gail Oliveria of Chartwells School Nutrition in Fairhaven talks about how to eat a health diet and maintain a good weight.