Fitness and Poetry in Santa Barbara Photo Essay

 Melinda Palacio

Today marks a first, my poetry participated in a Fitness Block Party. Although January is the time for New Year’s resolutions and vows to shed any holiday pounds, I never imagined pairing poetry and fitness. The poems were on stands, a poetry walk for people to walk by, read the poems. The library’s Mobile Van was on hand to issue library cards and check out poetry books. 

The library’s mobile van. The block party meant Pandora could participate. 

My poem in the poetry walk. There were electric bicycles to try but I was too cold. The poetry walk, sponsored by the Santa Barbara Libary, originally was not part if the fitness party, but rains rescheduled the poetry event, until finally tge block party presented an opportunity to bring poetry to the folks downtown. 

Poet Ron Alexander with his poem.

Organizers prepared an obstacle course for the bike riders.

Roller dancers 

Let’s not forget about the wrestling club.