BLOOMINGTON - You can have fun at the fair and be fit as a fiddle. Just walk through the fairgrounds and eat just a little. County fairs and fitness may appear to be mutually exclusive. | More than horsing around | Caring for dogs | Photo gallery | Friday fair results

It doesn't have to be that way. The McLean County Fair actually offers opportunities for exercise.

"The key to fitness here is walking," said McLean County Fair Manager Mike Swartz.

A typical family can walk thousands of steps in their day at the fair just by walking through the Interstate Center to see the 4-H projects and the commercial exhibits, walking through the various livestock barns, and walking to the grandstands for the shows and through the carnival, Swartz said.

Jenny Glasscock agrees. The 13-year-old girl is a member of the Towanda 4-H Club and is showing nine projects at the county fair this week.

On Wednesday, she wore a pedometer and walked 10,176 steps - about typical for her for a day at the fair.

"I just walked around," said the daughter of Dale and Amy Glasscock of Normal. "It's very easy to fit fitness in because there's so much to do here."

People who work at the fair get even more steps.

"My first fair as an Extension staff member, I walked over 28,000 steps on (project) judging day and walked 20,000 to 24,000 steps every other day," said Theresa Chambers, University of Illinois Extension-McLean County 4-H community worker. "I got in those steps without realizing it."

Cheryl Richards, an exercise physiologist with BroMenn Regional Medical Center in Normal, said Glasscock is getting what exercise professionals recommend for each day. Getting 10,000 steps - 3.5 to 4 miles depending on the size of your steps - is recommended for heart health and to promote weight loss, Richards said.

"If you're at the fair, you can do it," she said.

Four miles would burn 280 to 440 calories, depending on the size of the person, she said. Unfortunately, a funnel cake is about 760 calories. A lot of traditional fair food is high in fat and calories, she said.

But you can have your fair food and eat it, too. Pick your favorite fair food and enjoy it, then skip the rest, Richards said.

Or share it. Splitting a funnel cake among three people allows everyone to have a taste and take in fewer calories, she said.

Glasscock said she sometimes brings a healthy sack lunch, such as a lettuce salad with tomatoes and cucumbers, a nectarine and orange juice.

Swartz said healthier food options at the fair include fruit, frozen yogurt, and sandwiches sold by the beef and pork producers.

Walking at the county fair isn't a cardiovascular workout in which you get your heart rate up and isn't a huge calorie burner, Richards said.

"But it's definitely activity and that's good," she said. "You need both a cardio workout (30 to 40 minutes three to four times a week) and you need to be active throughout the day."

If you want to get in a cardio workout at the fair, arrive early before a lot of fairgoers and walk briskly around the grounds, Richards suggested. Then you'll have the rest of the day to enjoy the fair and get in even more steps.

"Try not to think about how many steps you're getting," Glasscock said. "Just have fun at the fair. The steps will come with it."

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Fit at the fair

Here are tips to assist your walking around the fairgrounds:

• Wear comfortable shoes that provide support, such as athletic shoes. Don't wear flip-flops because there's always the risk of stubbing your toe or stepping into something unsavory.

• Drink a lot of water to stay hydrated, to keep cool and to maintain your energy.

• Wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.

• If you really want to exercise and burn calories - besides walking - consider rock climbing at the Upper Limits exhibit, doing pushups at the Army booth or helping to build picnic tables with members of the Central Illinois Woodworkers Club.

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Saturday's lineup

The McLean County Fair continues today at the Interstate Center in Bloomington. Here is what you need to know:

Highlights: Pepsi Nationwide Demo Derby, 7 p.m. ($15); carnival and on-ground entertainment, noon to midnight

Admission: Single-day, $5, adults; $3, children ages 6-12. Five-day admission wristband, $10; $6. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Extra fees apply for some events.

Parking: Free

Free daily entertainment: All the 4-H exhibits, petting zoo, live alligator show, comedy and magic shows, face painting, antique tractor display, dog agility demonstration, emergency services display, chainsaw carving, strolling clown, balloon artists, Children's Discovery Museum exhibit, more.

On the Net: www.mcleancountyfair.org