Last week, Kathy Hansen did a great job explaining the tradition of Mardi Gras and ways that you can use the conclusion of the festival known as Fat Tuesday as a day to begin a few healthy habits on your road to better health. And as useful as all of her advice was, I’d like to ask you to forget about Fat Tuesday and celebrate Fit Tuesday instead.

You see, Fit Tuesday is the official start to the annual Rumba on the Lumber Festival. Every year, to kick things off, the Robeson Road Runners, which organizes the festival, teams up with the Lumberton Chamber and Adelios to host this free event and get everyone “Ready To Rumba.” As always, there will be free food, drinks and entertainment and all those who attend and are registered to run or walk in the LRA 5K are eligible to win two free airline tickets, compliments of Debbie’s Destinations. Fit Tuesday will be held in the back room of Adelios and runs from 5 to 7 p.m.

Fit Tuesday is just the start to what has become one of the largest festivals in the region. Rumba weekend gets moving Friday night, March 6, with the annual Allen Orthopedic Friday Night Pasta Party. It’s your typical pre-race carbo-load party, but with so much more. Held at the Bill Sapp Center from 6 to 9 p.m., this family-friendly event is loaded with kids activities, live music by the Sea Cruz Band, dancing and, of course, pasta. Tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the door. But make sure you pace yourself, because Saturday is going to be a long day.

As always, Saturday starts off with the Southeastern Regional Medical Center Family Fun Mile. This is a free event and families are encouraged to come out and walk or run together. Every year the crowds get bigger, and it’s not uncommon to see close to a thousand local school kids enjoying this event while getting fit. The fun mile begins at 10 a.m.

At 11 a.m., the Lumberton Radiological Associates 5K gets started. The premiere event of the Rumba on the Lumber Festival, the LRA 5K is known as a fast, flat and fun race. This event is open to all runners and walkers both recreational and competitive.

Both the LRA 5K and the SRMC Family Fun Mile begin on Chestnut Street behind the courthouse and registration is located in the back room at Black Water Grille. Registration opens up at 8:30 a.m. and ends promptly 15 minutes before the start of the race.

Of course, what would the Rumba be without the Bud Light Chili Cook-Off? Quickly becoming one of the largest chili cook-offs in North Carolina, teams from all over the region compete to win prizes and delight the crowds with their original recipes. This year, the Gold Rush Band will be performing on the Campbell Ear, Nose & Throat stage to entertain the crowds. Chili tasting begins at 11:30 and the cost to sample the food is $5. Participants in the LRA 5K eat for free.

As always Lumbee River EMC is sponsoring the Kidz Zone, a free, family-friendly environment that has a little something for everyone. Rock-climbing walls, inflatable games, rides, and a whole host of activities will help to keep the kids happy all day long. The Kidz Zone opens up at 10 a.m.

But that’s not all. There’s an arts and crafts show, as well as vendors selling their work, entertainment at the plaza and plenty of food vendors in case you wanted something else besides chili.

The proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the new Southeastern Waterworks Regional Art Center, which will soon open at the old water treatment plant.

If you have any questions concerning this year’s Rumba on the Lumber, visit www.robesonroadrunners.com or feel free to give me a call.

— Mike DeCinti is the marketing director for Lumberton Radiological Associates and is a member of the Robeson Road Runners. He can be reached at mdecinti@lraxray.com or by calling 738-8222, Ext. 258.