LANSING, MI - Children both in and beyond Michigan are ditching the bus to celebrate this year's International Walk To School Day (W2SD) on Wednesday, October 6th. Over 200 schools from all over Michigan have signed up year after year. This year, “All Children Exercise Simultaneously” (ACES Day) is combining their efforts with W2SD thanks to the support from Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan.

These walks are organized by Partnership for a Walkable America. The first walk starting in 1997. ACES Day, started in 1989, is an international event created by the Youth Fitness Coalition to raise awareness for obesity related ailments such as heart disease.

ACES Day was moved from its’ original day, the first Wednesday of May, to coincide with W2SD.

“Walk to School Day and ACES Day is going really well today!” said Director of Safe Routes to School, Katie Alexander. “I think pairing the events together made it easier for schools to participate, as both events help emphasize the importance of daily physical activity for children and their families.”