BLOOMINGTON - Sandra Sharp of Bloomington showed off her skills as she booted a football at Family Fitness Day at White Oak Park on Saturday.

"It's been a long time since I kicked a football," said Sharp, who qualified for a boys' middle school football team in Houston as a child.

Sharp and her family participated in almost a dozen activities at the city of Bloomington Parks and Recreation's second annual event.

When she a student in a private middle school in Texas, boys successfully tried out for the all-female cheerleading squad. "Three of us girls made it on the boys' football team," she recalls. Later, the school made rules against the boys and girls joining each others' teams.

Her husband, Ken Sharp, who played soccer for 22 years, and sons Justin, 9, and Nick, 7, were all good football kickers.

Some families enjoyed a little competition at the event. Sheila Stephens and sister, Jennifer Hinthorn, ran a tight race.

"I'm going to win," said Hinthorn before they took off. She did.

Their daughters, Sarah Stephens, 7, and Paige Hinthorn, 10, also participated Saturday. Both families are active playing soccer, walking, biking, golfing, fishing and camping.

"We like to do a lot of outdoor stuff," Sheila Stephens said.

Mark Bruster, Bloomington Parks and Recreation intern, helped arrange the fitness day as part of his recreation and parks administration education at Illinois State University. He helped set up 10 activity stations, including a Frisbee target toss, soccer shootout and "half-pint skillastics."

Bruster said he had hoped to double the attendance of 300 from last year's event, but deemed the day a success despite coming up short.

"Any time we can get families out being active it's a success," said Denise Balagna, parks and recreation department athletics program manager.

In another part of the Twin Cities, opening ceremonies for the Born Learning Trail were held Saturday at Anderson Park, providing parents with another option for family fitness this summer.