Superheroes and super health went hand in hand as families joined caped champions on the Herndon Town Hall Square Saturday, Oct. 13 for the second Annual Family Fitness & Fun FEST, produced by the nationally accredited and four-time National Gold Medal Award winner, Herndon Parks and Recreation Department. A morning line up of interactive games, fitness class demonstrations, and a run through an inflatable obstacle course enticed citizens to put down the electronics, get outside and get moving.

"Despite the early morning rain, 125 people visited the event and were able to get in a bout of family fitness time, responded Tom Milenkevich Coordinator: Family Fitness & Fun FEST, Fitness Services Supervisor, Herndon Community Center in an email.

While hands-on learning activities and demonstrations, such as the cycling workout to the beat of music by New Trail Cycling, Reston, encouraged a fun means to a healthier way of life, the fresh food by vendors like Great Harvest Bread Company in Herndon fueled participation.

“We live off the trail and fitness for us and the kids is very important,” said Nawal Scannell of Herndon as she watched her two children dance at the event. “We take walks each night and run.”

Family Fitness & Fun FEST reminded citizens that designating time for quick, fun family workouts is an efficient way to both strengthen family bonds and boost activity levels simultaneously, said Milenkevich. "Any and all types of movement and activity is good for our body and mind, so we encourage everyone to make a family commitment to living an active lifestyle,” he said.

Parks and Recreation asked families to sign a "Fit Family Pledge" to maintain their superpowers by committing to make two healthy changes in their daily lives related to activity and nutrition goals. Parks and Recreation invited families to fill out a self-addressed envelope so they could follow up with the families and see how they progressed with their pledges.

The next Herndon Parks and Recreation Department special event is Spooktakular, a family Halloween celebration on Oct. 26, 6:30-8 p.m.