YMCAs across the nation will be participating in Healthy Kids Day Saturday, and Vicksburg’s local chapter will be celebrating with a Healthy Kids Festival from 2 to 4 p.m.

“We met with the Governor Monday and he signed a proclamation declaring April 26 YMCA Healthy Kid’s Day,” said Casey Custer, a day which will be set aside to promote the health and well being of kids.

The festival will be held at the W.K. Purks Center, 267 YMCA Place, and will include face painting three-legged races, flag football games, sack races and kick-ball, said Jack Oliver, the program specialist at the YMCA.

“The festival is free and open to absolutely everyone,” he said.

“We also have a guy coming with reptiles and he will be letting the kids hold them for an up close personal experience,” said Oliver.

“Saturday’s festival will also serve as the culmination of the youth marathon,” he said.

For two months, children age 6 to 14-years old, have been running or walking to complete the 26.2 miles required for a marathon and they will finish the last 1.2 miles with a color run, which will start at 2:30 p.m.

A color run is when colored powder made from cornstarch is thrown up in the air at the conclusion of a run, said Oliver.

“It’s pretty popular,” he said, and added that the YMCA would supply the colored powder.

Parents may participate with their children Oliver said, “and if moms and dads want to participate we will give them some powder too.”

For more information about the Healthy Kid’s Day, call 601-638-1071.