The 2012 Sport and Recreation Show is presented at the Western Fair District Agriplex on February 25-26
Healthy selections: The Sport and Recreation Show at Western Fair District
~ Chris Morgan
London, ON – Looking for a way to make good on those new year’s resolutions to improve your health?
Tired of spending wintry days sitting in front of your computer or television, with nothing to show for it but ten, 15, 20 extra pounds?
If this sounds all-too-familiar, the 2012 Sport and Recreation Show at Western Fair District may be the event for you. The family friendly showcase of games, displays and physical activities takes place from February 25-26 at the District’s Agriplex, 845 Florence Street.
“The most unique aspect of this year’s fair is the added value in the interactive element people are going to experience,” shows and event manager Andrew Kitt told SCENE recently.
“Five dollars gets you in the door, and that gives you access to everything being offered in the show this year; like the driving range and the kids putt area, which has always been a popular part of our golf show,” he said.
“We have ball hockey international in there, where you can play some ball hockey. There’s the batting cage. You can learn to ride a horse. There’s also a bunch of turf activities presented by London Sport and Social Club and Western University. It’s pretty wild.” Kitt continued.
“But I think the hottest thing we’re going to have is a 200-foot zip-line [pulley and cable mounted on an incline] inside. We’re going to have the guys from Longpoint Eco Adventures coming down to put that altogether for us,” he said.
Longpoint Eco Adventures is just one of the familiar names associated with this year’s inaugural event, which combines two of Western Fair District’s past showcase successes, the Golf and Travel Show and the Health and Fitness Show.
“[Those shows] have become part of a greater event strategy, that will develop into a much broader show over the next few years,” Kitt said.
“We took the two older shows and put them together because they went hand-in-hand, and then broadened the concept further,” he added.
Participants in this year’s event include dozens of businesses and organizations from London and area all devoted in some way to active, healthy living. California Fitness and Spa, Bob Martin’s Golf and Fashions, and Pete’s Sports are just a few of the show’s sponsors
Many local sports teams are also involved with the 2012 show, from the London Majors and London Rippers baseball clubs to university and amateur players of all kinds.
“We try to keep it very much local, and focused on the local sports community, whether it’s the minor sports, the professional sports – like the Rippers – or the regular recreational sports,” Kitt said.
There’s even one place where you’re certain to find the Western Fair District’s shows and event manager on the weekend in question.
“I’ve always been partial to the MMA [mixed martial arts] area. We’ve got three UFC guys there this weekend, so it’s safe to say [I’ll be attending],” Kitt said, but admitted it was hard to pick just one activity from such a broad and appealing number of attractions.
“Whether you’re young or old, there’s definitely going to be something here for you. There are new things and new areas to try,” Kitt said.
“If you’re wondering what to do on the weekends, or on your weekday evenings, there are so many options to try out at this show that you probably didn’t even know existed in the city,” he said.
“The Sport and Recreation Show will offer a great spectrum of exercise, health, indoor and outdoor sports, new and unique recreation activities and anything else that interests our customers as the show evolves.”
The 2012 Sport and Recreation Show takes place on February 25-26. The event is a presentation of Western Fair District.