PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. — Between the many expressions of intense determination were wide-smiles as children, aged 4 to 10, enjoyed Track and Field Fun Day, Aug. 14, outside Tamarac Education Centre in Port Hawkesbury.
This was the fourth year the Town of Port Hawkesbury recreation department staged the day and physical activity co-ordinator Corene Gillis talked about the event which ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the grounds beside the school, and concluded with an awards ceremony and barbecue.
“It’s just a little event we put on to give the kids a little bit of an intro to track and field,” Gillis said, as children and their parents lined up for the barbecue and refreshments.
“So we do a little bit of running, jumping and throwing; just so they can try out each different event. It’s something a little bit different and we make it a free, fun event for the kids.”
Noting again this was the fourth summer, Gillis said numbers are growing and participation is expanding outside the town’s borders.
“Last year we had 40 some kids, 48 or 49 I think, and this year we have 57 registered,” she said.
“So it’s growing each year and we’re starting to see some kids from just outside the area, outside Port Hawkesbury … we’re seeing kids from other areas, so it’s great.”
Gillis noted it has been held roughly the same time of the summer, each year.
“This is, kind of, when we’ve been doing it every year … it works out well that way,” she said.
“And we’ve been fortunate to have a couple of teachers from Tamarac Education Centre who coach the track team who come out and help.
“We usually have it on a Wednesday, mid-week; that way if we do have to postpone or cancel, we have the Thursday to fall back on but, fortunately, knock on wood, we haven’t had to cancel it yet,” Gillis added, adding the weather on this particular day was “gorgeous.”
