Hospital hosts 6th annual fitness fair

St. Francis Hospital & Health Services hosted its sixth-annual Health and Fitness Fair at the Maryville Community center on Saturday.

Twenty-six vendors set up booths in the center's gymnasium and spent the day handing out freebies and free advice about how to stay trim, fit and healthy.

Exhibitors ranged from chiropractors and holistic practitioners to advocacy groups campaigning for disease prevention and awareness.

Lasting throughout Saturday morning, the event drew a steady crowd, as it has since its inception a half-dozen years ago.

Fittingly, the Community Center also attracted a good sized group of patrons who were using the facility's walking track, aerobics gym and weight room.

"This event is a great opportunity to get out and find what's available in our community concerning health and fitness services," said St. Francis spokesperson Rita Miller.

The event was also designed to reinforce and ongoing shop-local campaign. Only a small number of the vendors came from outside Nodaway County. The rest were based either in Maryville or close by.

"These vendors are providing health opportunities that you don't have to leave town for," Miller said.