Children of all ages and their caregivers participated in a recent dance party at the Central Park Pavilion.
The Neosho County Health Department came up with the idea to host a Baby Rave, designed to get families moving together.
As attendees arrived, they were checked in by members of the Neosho County Community College men’s basketball team. Attendees enjoyed snacks, beverages, and lively music alongside their complimentary T-shirt.
Stacy Wright, a maternal child health educator with the health department, said the event wouldn’t be possible without volunteers. In addition to NCCC’s basketball team, the Chanute Police Department, the DJ, and the master of ceremonies also donated their time. She highlighted the assistance of event sponsors: Young’s Welding, Kidzville Daycare, Opie’s Pizza and Grill, and KJ Wear.
“It’s the first Baby Rave. We do other community activities such as the resource carnival and baby showers,” Wright said.
Music filled the room, and several members of the basketball team cheered on young dancers.
“It’s been great even seeing a sixmonth-old dancing; the families dancing. I like seeing families together, enjoying a family event,” Wright said. “I’ve loved it all. They’ve been having so much fun.”
Wright said the event took several months to plan, and the full day of the event to set up the space.
Of the volunteers, Wright said she was particularly impressed by the young men on the basketball team.
“They’ve been doing it all so that we can interact with the families,” Wright said. “A lot of guys are kind of nervous, but they are getting right out there.”
Jayce Cooper, a NCCC freshman from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, said it felt good to see children happy and having fun and having a good time. Cooper said he enjoyed volunteering and would do something like this again.
Dancing can have a wide range of benefits for people of all ages. According to Aging Care, dancing can be particularly helpful for elders in the community by decreasing symptoms of depression and reducing levels of stress, anxiety, and insomnia.
Strength and balance have also been shown to improve after a few weeks of incorporating dance into one’s routine. Joint pain and stiffness can also be decreased by doing low-impact dances. According to Aging Care, studies show that heart health can be improved by dancing due to the aerobic exercise. According to Aging Care, dancing requires no specialized equipment, and such exercise can lead to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
In other benefits, dancing regularly can reduce the risk of developing dementia, according to a 21-year study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
For children, dancing can improve physical and cognitive development.
To learn more about the Neosho County Health Department, visit the Neosho County Health Department Facebook Page or visit https://www. neoshocountyks.org/181/Health-Department.
