Get up and get active!

TVOKids kicks off its 2010 province-wide "Don't Sit Still Tour" in Toronto

TORONTO , Jan. 29 /CNW/ - How do we get our kids to exercise their bodies as well as their mousepads, and discover as much about food groups as social media groups? As longtime champions of healthy minds and healthy bodies for children, TVOKids and the Don't Sit Still Tour announce the 2010 season, which features new songs, new dance moves, and a new contest - all to help motivate kids to get fit and have fun. The tour opens with two free shows in Toronto on Sunday February 21 (see venues and times below).

Presented by EatRight Ontario, with sponsorship in part by Egg Farmers of Ontario, the TVOKids Don't Sit Still Tour travels to communities across Ontario and features the beloved TVOKids hosts (Mark, Jackie and Ryan) in a free high-energy stage show that encourages a healthy, active lifestyle. Young audiences and their families can enjoy the songs, the dance moves, and non-stop opportunities to join in and follow along. And as a memento of the show and its message of healthy living and eating, kids receive free Don't Sit Still gift bags.

"The Ontario Government and the Ministry of Health Promotion is pleased to support the TVOKids Don't Sit Still Tour," says Margarett Best , Ontario's Minister of Health Promotion. "Reaching out to children and parents with important messages on making healthy eating choices and being more active for better health is important. The show is an interactive and fun way to reach thousands of children throughout the province."

A new "Chef for a Day" contest invites kids to send in a favourite healthy breakfast, lunch or dinner menu to www.tvokids.com/dss for a chance to appear on stage with the TVOKids hosts when the Don't Sit Still show comes to their city. Winners will also receive TVOKids merchandise prize packs.

"Ontario egg farmers are proud to promote healthy eating in the province," says Carolynne Griffith, Chair of Egg Farmers of Ontario. "The 'Chef for a Day' contest offers a fun opportunity for kids to share their favourite nutritious meals and we look forward to seeing the entries."

For parents and kids who would like to get more information on nutrition, booths will be set up near the stage where families can drop by, ask questions and receive tips and advice from registered dietitians and nutritionists from EatRight Ontario and Egg Farmers of Ontario.

TVOKids and the Don't Sit Still Tour will also present three special Earth Day performances at the Ontario Science Centre on Saturday March 27 . Stay tuned for more news on these performances and check www.tvokids.com/dss for updates.

The 2010 Don't Sit Still Tour promises to be more fun than ever," says TVOKids host Mark Sykes . "Young kids and their families will have tons of fun practising our cool new dance moves and songs with us, and at the same time they'll learn a lot about active lifestyles and healthy eating. Ryan, Jackie and I are excited for the tour because we always have a blast travelling across Ontario and connecting with TVOkids fans face to face!"

Following is the schedule for the first two shows in Toronto on February 21 . Each show is approximately 30 minutes.

    
    Performance at 11:30 am
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    Fairview Mall
    Lower level
    1800 Sheppard Avenue East
    Toronto

    Performance at 4:30 pm
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    Regent Park South Community Centre
    203 Sackville Green
    Toronto
    

About TVO

TVO is Ontario's public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO's vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. For more information, visit tvo.org.

Where to find TVO

Cable channel 2 (channel may vary in some areas), Bell TV channel 265, Shaw Direct channel 353.

For further information: TVO contacts: Media contact: Lesley Horlick, TVO, Communications, Phone: [phone] ext. 2281, [email protected]; Event coordinator: Lisa Marinelli, TVO, Marketing, Phone: [phone] ext. 2454, [email protected]; Venue contacts: Diana Pitassi, Marketing Coordinator, Fairview Mall, Phone: [phone] ext. 213; Melody Fallis, Senior Marketing Director, Fairview Mall, Phone: [phone] ext. 238; Janice Noga, Community Recreation Programmer, Regent Park South Community Centre, Phone: [phone]