Gold medalist and ‘Dancing with the Stars’ champion Shawn Johnson to headline event

Led by Olympic champion Shawn Johnson, this weekend's Food, Fitness and Fun event will offer solutions for a healthier lifestyle.

“It seems as if everyone is concerned with health and wellness, and especially with the always rising costs for health care,” says Steve Huber, Hy-Vee marketing coordinator.

Hy-Vee and The Gazette are presenting the event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Johnson, a West Des Moines native who earned four medals at the 2008 Olympics and was crowned champion on the popular television series “Dancing with the Stars” earlier this year, will speak at noon on the main stage. She will be joined on stage by area gymnasts who will perform a tumbling routine.

“I cannot think of a better person to present to the young people in our community who promotes a strong work ethic and is genuinely dedicated to living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” Huber says.

Along with Johnson, the main stage will feature an H1N1 presentation and a kids' cooking demonstration.

Three other stages will feature fitness, health and cooking demonstrations.

The fitness stage will feature presentations on Pilates, kettlebells and walking.

The health stage will feature several presentations from Hy-Vee dietitians, including “High Tech Health,” “Stress Makes You Fat” and “Simple Supper Solutions.”

The food stage will feature cooking demonstrations on how to make Fresh Green Bean-Zucchini Salad, Smart Chicken Cheesy Meatballs, Slice Creme Cake Lemon Tower and Cuban Mojo Sandwich.

More than 60 exhibitors will be on site. Plus there will be several health care screenings including cholesterol, blood pressure check and bone density in addition to an opportunity to get a flu shot.

“If you are at a point in your life where you need some help with making good and healthy lifestyle changes, you could very well pick up a lot of valuable information at the event,” Huber says.