For most people, a Saturday afternoon is a perfect chance to relax in the comfort of their living room and avoid physical exertion.

For at least one day, the Selma Chapter of the Links Inc. wants to break that trend here.

The group is sponsoring its 13th annual Walk-A-Thon and Health Fair from 9-11 a.m. at Memorial Stadium.

The Links are targeting the problem of obesity and related diseases in Selma and Dallas County by specifically reaching out to its young people.

“We just invite everyone to come out and join us and take advantage of it,” Links President Nancy Sewell said. “We want to send a statement to our young people that it is so important to watch what they eat and exercise. Get up from that computer; don’t be a couch potato. We’ve got to do that for our young people. We’re getting to be nation of obese people.”

Participants will walk the Memorial Stadium track to encourage walking and regular exercise as a healthy part of their lives. Civic, social and church organizations can sponsor a team for the walk.

Emphasis will also be placed on education, awareness and screening. The health fair will have cholesterol and body mass index testing.

The bands of Selma and Southside High will join the Links to entertain people who come out.

Dallas County Sheriff Harris Huffman will serve as grand marshall for the day and joked that he would probably need a golf cart to get through the day.

“The biggest thing is the older we get, the more we look at health and fitness,” Huffman said. “I didn’t think anything about it growing up, being in top physical shape and exercising, walking and any of that. But the older I get, the more I realize it’s necessary. This is going to help the young people to realize that there’s more to life than just riding around in fast cars and souped up cars. Get out and exercise.”