Event promotes healthy kids

More than 5,000 people attended the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation's Dia del Nino celebration Saturday.

The center, in partnership with New Mexico Children, Youth and Families, sponsored the event to promote healthy, literate children and families in New Mexico.

According to the center's Web site, about 400,000 New Mexicans don't have health insurance.

Maggie Smith, owner of Striped Couch Productions, said she was hired to coordinate a bike ride to start the day's festivities.

"We decided to do a bike ride because I'm a cyclist, and I think most people can do a bike race. Participants had the choice of doing a 10-mile, a 22-mile and a 54-mile ride," she said. "So, we had different distances for all levels. If you were just a beginner, you could do a 10-mile ride, and people that are more serious cyclists could do the 54-mile ride."

Cyclist Karen Sheff said she competed in the 22-mile ride to begin her cycling career.

"I did it because I'm starting to train for a century (a 100-mile bike ride) in the fall, hopefully in Tucson," she said.

At the finish line, students from the Crystal Mountain School of Therapeutic Massage were on hand to help any bikers in pain.

Jennifer Thomas, an instructor at the school, said the event was beneficial for all New Mexicans.

"I think it's great. It's important to promote other types of health care, and events like this teach people about other types of preventative medicines," she said.

There were 65 booths offering free health care, including diabetes and blood-pressure screenings and immunizations for children.

Health insurance representatives were on hand to give free consultations.

There was also a train ride, a petting zoo, a book drive and crafts for children at the event.

Susan Sophia said she went to the event for the free entertainment.

"My friend is doing the Baile Folklorico, and she told me about the event, and I think it's wonderful," she said. "I'm also going to check out the arts and crafts, too."