On Saturday, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center will host its second annual Zumbathon.

Zumbathon is organized by the Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and is the organization’s main promotional event. At Saturday’s event, SAND will have information available for students who are interested in learning about the health opportunities available to them through ACU.

SAND offers on-campus personal trainers and provides students with nutritional information designed specifically for individuals through basic fitness assessments.

The event will feature ACU’s own Zumba trainers, but will also include instructors from other fitness facilities in the Abilene community.

Since the event’s goal is to promote SAND, Zumbathon will be open for the Abilene community to participate.

Zumbathon is a come and go event, and students are encouraged to come by for as little or as long as they want. Kerri Hart, associate director of SRWC said, “What better way for students to get ready for finals than by having fun at Zumbathon.”

Hart said last year’s Zumbathon had an “absolutely amazing turnout,” and the Rec Center is expecting an even larger participation this year, especially since there will be more instructors from the Abilene community.

This year the Zumbathon is 80’s themed and participants are encouraged to come dressed in 80s attire. The Zumba classes will also feature music from the 80s.

Since this will be the first year Zumbathon has a theme, Hart said she is expecting it to be a lot of fun for people to dress up and participate. She is unsure if SAND will continue with themes for future years, but is excited for how the event will grow.

Miranda Palmer, junior nursing major from Flower Mound said, “Zumba is my favorite way to exercise. I am so excited to learn from different instructors and to dress up.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $12 in the Campus Center, and will be sold for $15 at the door. Ticket purchase includes a spot in Zumbathon, a t-shirt and snacks.