Hospital Hosting Children’s Day Festivities Saturday

DANBURY — Danbury Hospital announces that the 17th Annual Children’s Day will take place on Saturday, March 29, from 10 am to 2 pm, at the hospital. The purpose of this annual signature event is to promote physical activity, good nutrition, and general wellness to children in a nonthreatening way by creating a free, entertaining day of “hands-on” educational activities and entertainment, while at the same time introducing them to the hospital environment.

The 2007 event attracted more than 3,000 children and families.

The 2008 Children’s Day theme “Hop, Skip & Jump to Good Health” is aimed at preventing childhood obesity through physical activity and good nutrition and working in partnership with local businesses and corporations such as Union Savings Bank, Branson Ultrasonics, Trader Joe’s, and others to combine a free, fun family day complete with health care and safety education as the focus.

Special events and activities include:

*Inspection of an ambulance, EMS, and local police department vehicles, City of Danbury fire truck, “Wellness-on-Wheels” van, and STAT Flight helicopter (11 am to noon, weather permitting)

*See the Colossal Colon®, a 40-foot-long, 4-foot tall crawl-through a replica of the human colon designed to educate the public about colorectal cancer

*Cooking, gymnastics, and martial arts demonstrations sponsored by the Danbury Hospital Food & Nutrition Services Department, and local school and youth groups

*Tours of the Radiology (X-ray) Department, Duracell Center for Ambulatory Surgery, Galante Pediatric Suites/Emergency Department and Pediatrics/Adolescent Unit

*Amber Alert Child ID program courtesy of the Danbury Rotary Clubs in partnership with the Danbury/New Fairfield Woman’s Club

*Free health education and screenings, including blood pressure, height/weight profiles, and much more

*Ask-a-Pediatrician, casting demonstrations, face painting, and other hands-on activities that promote good nutrition and exercise

Danbury Hospital’s 17th Annual Children’s Day is made possible by the generous contributions of local sponsors, including the Danbury Public Schools, Huckleberry Hill School, RepublicanAmerican, The Hour (Norwalk), The Wilton Villager, The Stamford Times, 98Q-FM, KidsEvents.com, Barker Specialty, local police and fire departments, and many other community and civic-minded youth groups and organizations. There are a limited number of free giveaways while supplies last.

No preregistration is necessary. Park free in Red Parking Garage, Locust Avenue entrance.

The main entrance and check-in for Children’s Day takes place in the Praxair Cancer Center lobby located on the first floor of the Stroock Building. An adult must accompany children under 12.