Getting ready to "stroll"

The third Annual Dexter Parents as Teachers Strollerthon, 5K and KidFest takes place this Saturday, March 29 at Southwest Elementary School to benefit the local PAT program.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the 5K set to begin at 8:30 a.m. The KidFest will open at 9 a.m. and the Strollerthon will begin at 10 a.m.

Following the Strollerthon will be the the annual PAT Easter Egg Hunt on the Southwest School grounds, and as always, the Easter Bunny will be on hand.

Organizer Willa Fees stresses that the 5K is not a race. "Rather, it's a chance to be active for kids and with kids. Walkers and runners will be completing 3.1 miles that will provide them with a tour of Dexter Schools."

Fees says the run/walk serves as an opportunity for everyone, not just parents and grandparents, to get active this spring and to support this community program.

"There's no need to bring a stroller for the 5K," Fees explains. "Just lace up your running or walking shoes and meet us in front of Southwest Elementary at 8:30 a.m."

The walking route has a few small hills and will take participants around each Dexter School campus and travel through a few nearby neighborhoods. Maps will be provided to all who participate.

The Strollerthon is the main event of the day, and involves a one-mile long fun walk at Southwest prior to the Egg Hunt. Parents are encouraged to decorate their child's strollers in any way they wish for the Strollerthon.

Spectators will have a chance to vote for the Best Decorated Stroller by placing dollars in that stroller's designated jar. Prizes are awarded to the top three favorites, with the money going to PAT.

A Judges Choice award will also be given, and that winner is determined by a panel of "impartial" judges.

All registered 5k and Strollerthon participants will receive a t-shirt, swag bag, water and refreshments with their $20 registration.The KidFest, introduced for the first time in 2013, is a free, fun interactive area where parents and children are able to meet the event's sponsors find out about the goods and services they provide, and participate in developmentally appropriate activities. Several local merchants and service providers have re-committed to be present for this event, which is held in the gym at Southwest Elementary.