LITTLE ROCK — Seven-year-old Aine Pippenger was looking forward to strolling along the Big Dam Bridge Sunday evening during the third annual Full Moon Walk but got a little more exercise than she bargained for.
“Ten push-ups,” she said, after rolling the fitness dice - two soft blue squares with an activity on one and a number on the other. The dice were brought to the event by North Little Rock’s Fit 2 Live organization.
Anyone could roll the dice or get information at the various organizations spreading the word on healthy living at the health fairs set up at the Little Rock and North Little Rock sides of the bridge.
It is the first year the walk, a free event sponsored by the Big Dam Bridge Foundation, has provided health fairs.
“The mission of our board is to promote the use of the Big Dam Bridge for healthy lifestyles,” said Susan Cooper, chairman of the board for the foundation. “It’s all about teaching people to be more happy and healthy.”
Some of the organizations at the health fairs included Stamp Out Smoking, Be the Match and the American Cancer Society.
“I think it was just a good fit,” said Bernadette Rhodes, coordinator for Fit 2 Live in North Little Rock. “We thought it was a great opportunity to share information.”
The big draw for the event, however, was the trek across the bridge, although the actual full moon is a few days off.
“I like the full moon and just the walk and seeing it shine on the river,” said 14-year-old Eilis Pippenger of Maumelle.
School buses transported patrons to the entrances as multicolored lights danced on the bridge’s base and dance music blared from the speakers. It was this fun atmosphere that brought Brett Rice of Cabot back to the annual walk.
“It’s a fun night to see people and spend the night with family,” Rice said. “It gets in exercise, too, especially after Thanksgiving.”
Arkansas, Pages 12 on 11/26/2012