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Community Corner

Largest Zumba Fitness Class to Hit the Streets of Ford Arts, Beats & Eats

Have you ever wanted to be in the Guinness World Records? Here's your shot.

When you mix more than 1,500 dancers and a larger-than-life festival such as Arts, Beats & Eats, you’re bound to get a history-making moment.

This Labor Day weekend, four local Zumba Fitness instructors have organized an event they hope will make its way into the pages of the Guinness World Records.

Sponsored by HealthPlus of Michigan, more than 1,500 people are predicted to attend the 14th annual festival Sept. 3 to perform the group exercise dance craze together for a minimum of 30 minutes.

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The instructors — Susan Stokely, Christy Baas and Cindy DeBiasi from Vibe Fit and Sara Hoffman, an independent teacher from Royal Oak — are behind the event's creation, which came to them after a Zumba night class at Royal Oak’s , located above .

“Sara approached us to try doing a nightclub Zumba class at the Sky Club, and we had a great turnout of over 80 people attending on the first night,” Stokely said. “It was that night that we sat down for dinner at Sangria, and the owner, Luigi Cutaro, joined us, and he came up with the idea for the record attempt.”

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As an effort to promote the Zumba Fitness event in a positive and healthful manner, the foursome is reaching out to instructors throughout Michigan and northern Ohio to help break the world record, which was set in April by 1,223 people in Texas.

Dancers of all ages are encouraged to join the fun, regardless of previous experience.

“I think it’s such an exciting thing to do because people of all ages and fitness levels can take part in Zumba,” said Trisha Roberts, a Shelby Township resident and local instructor. “This event is a fun, wholesome way to show your community your Zumba love and your respect and admiration of physical fitness and aerobic dance.”

The event will coincide with this year's Arts, Beats & Eats mission to promote health- and wellness-related activities. There will be health screenings, complimentary massages, a 5K event presented by DMC Sports Medicine, a bike corral, daily yoga classes and designated healthful menu items at participating restaurants, according to festival producer John Witz.

The Zumba organizers hope the event will show people just how fun working out and getting into shape can be.

“As popular as Zumba Fitness has become, there are still so many people who have either never heard of it or feel intimated about giving it a try,” Stokely said. “Zumba Fitness is a dance party with your friends that you look forward to and hate to miss. Anyone can do it.”

If you want to Zumba

The Zumba Fitness attempt is scheduled for 11 a.m.-noon Sept. 3 on the Michigan Lottery stage at Sixth and Main streets. On-site registration costs $3 and includes all-day admission to Arts, Beats & Eats. Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m., and free parking and shuttles are available at . For more information and to register early, visit the Arts, Beats & Eats website or call 248-334-4600.

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