Organizations gearing up for ‘Fit, Fun & Fabulous’ in city

“Fit, Fun and Fabulous in Franklin” is set for the first Thursday in October.
Franklin Foundation Hospital and Teche Action Clinic are working with local organizations and agencies to promote wellness and Franklin’s downtown from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The schedule is:
—Women’s Health Program at the Lamp Post, throughout the event. Features health screenings from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. by Franklin Foundation Hospital and presentations by local medical providers. There will be a guest speaker, Kathy Lopez, KATC-TV anchor and reporter, during a healthy luncheon.
—Men’s Health Program at the Teche Theater throughout the event. Health screenings by Teche Action Clinic, a presentation by local medical providers and a guest speaker, Rudy Macklin, former LSU Tiger, Alabama Hawk and New York Nicks, over a health luncheon.
—Children’s activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a magician, education programs and demonstrations.
—A luncheon with local authorities is set at the Forest Restaurant, where a domestic violence awareness proclamation will be signed.
—Walking Tour, downtown, with medical agencies paired with local businesses, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be line dancing lessons and representatives from the American Heart Association, American Cancer Association, American Diabetes Association, Smoke Free LA and United Blood Services; a breast cancer awareness booth with information on financial aid; a respiratory booth; representatives from Anytime Fitness at Shadowlawn on Main Street; self-defense demonstrations; a fire safety station; drug awareness station; Teche Action Clinic’s mobile unit; representatives of LA Wound Care Clinic; and tours of Chez Hope from 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.
—A tug of war between fire and police personnel, 5:30 a.m., Franklin High School stadium.
—“Walk A Mile For Christ” participants arrive at the FSHS stadium, 6 p.m.
This event coincides with the monthly First Thursday, and merchants on Main Street will be open until 6 p.m.
Organizers will also try to break a line-dancing world record by having 4,000 people do the Cupid Shuffle.
To end the day, Chez Hope will host a candlelight vigil.
“There are many more things scheduled for this day, and I hope that everyone will come to receive information that will assist them in living a healthier life,” said Dawn Kaiser-Melancon, director of Business Development and Marketing for Franklin Foundation Hospital. “I’m looking forward to the day’s events.”
Franklin Mayor Raymond Harris said, “This will be great for our downtown and for Franklin in general. Franklin has a different feeling and vibe right now, and this event will help us to build on it. Attendees can shop and get a health screening or listen to a presentation to improve their health. Besides, at this time, most people have given up on their resolutions that they made at beginning of the year. This will allow them to salvage some of them before the year ends or to jumpstart them for next year.”
For more information about First Thursdays and how to become a participating business, contact the Office of Community Development at 337-828-6345 or ashields@franklin-la.com.
For more information about Fit, Fun and Fabulous in Franklin, please contact Kaiser-Melancon at 337-355-1373 or Ed Verdin with Teche Action Clinic at 337-828-2550.