My News Story.

Swing Your Hips

CANTON - The 'Hoop Revolution' celebration was Friday’s featured event at Canton’s Summer Festival at The Canton Farmer's Market. Long time Hula Hoop enthusiast, Valerie M. White with her collection of hand crafted hoops and her friend DJ Double Dutch (Jody Tosti) were the duo that created 'Hoop Revolution' at the park. Ms. White was invited by the market manager to come and “hoop” at the festival. Ms. White was more than happy to go but she needed some music to hoop to.

“I asked my friend Jody who is DJ Double Dutch if she would come and she would bring some tunes, cause I like her music it’s fun to hoop to!,” Ms. White said. “She came and set this up and we kind of decided to do it together."

Ms. White commented, “I think it’s a really good exercise and it’s a really good outlet and I like seeing other people do it, I think that’s why I do it.” “To see kids get up and see people moving around and see people who tell me they haven’t hula hooped in twenty years and they don’t think they can do it, and they pick one up and they’re able to do it. It makes them smile and they enjoy the music, so that’s what it’s all about.”

The event was a success. It was a warm and beautifully sunny Friday afternoon in Canton with pop music filling the air, one dozen Hula Hoops swinging, and a good size crowd of participants. These are the perfect ingredients for a ‘Hoop Revolution.’

Sam McBroom, self titled “guy who likes to hoop” was hooping around the event. This is not his first hooping experience. Mr. McBroom works with Ms. White at the library and he has been to other events where Ms. White hula hoops.

“I caught Val doing it at the Madrid Bluegrass Festival,” Mr. McBroom said. “We were both out there she brought the hoops along. She’s been doing it forever; I started doing it and had a blast.” He continued, “She was at Potsdam Summer fest, and I’m with a medieval group and I was actually hula hooping in my armor.” “It’s a chance to get out, have some fun and get some good exercise, just a good time.”
For one younger participant this was her first hula hooping extravaganza. Zoie M.T. Flynn, of Massena, was at the park and she wanted to try it out. Ms. Flynn said, “I went to see everyone hula hoop, and have a great time there… and I got to try it out and I had a great time.”

TRYING IT OUT - Zoie M.T. Flynn, of Massena, left, Valerie M. White, 'Hoop Revolution' creator, center background, and Sam McBroom, Hula Hoop instructor, right.