U.S. Rep. Brenda Gilmore’s eighth annual Kids and Kites was another success April 16 to spread awareness on childhood obesity.

This year marks the eighth annual Kids and Kites, and many children and parents were smiling having a great time. There were plenty of activities for everyone to participate in. There was a mile-long walk around Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, line dancing, kite races and more.

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“Flying kites is a lost art with children. Most of the children in modern day don’t know how to fly kites and have never flown a kite a day in their lives. The purpose of Kids and Kites is to bring awareness to reducing childhood obesity. We brought together something fun, a fun way to teach healthy lifestyles and healthy behaviors,” Gilmore said. “Tennessee is in the top five states in the whole country with us being obese and overweight.”

Any vendor that promotes a healthy lifestyle or healthy food was invited to participate in Kids and Kites to help spread awareness. It’s free to the public for anyone to get involved and have a great time.

“When I heard that Brenda Gilmore who’s a member of our church at Mt. Zion, was hosting and giving leadership to Kids and Kites Nashville I got involved. We’re originally from Texas so they had an announcement and I went to the first meeting and she told me what she was doing so I couldn’t help but to get involved and I love it,” said church member of Mt. Zion Crystal Thomas.

Coming together as a community to show that healthy living is very important starting in early childhood and can help reduce childhood obesity. Kids and Kites is a great way to get families involved in community and live healthy lifestyles.