MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — A Ninja Carnival will kick its way into town this weekend to educate the community about self defense and mixed martial arts.
Premier Martial Arts is hosting the festival, which will offer free self defense lessons for kids and adults, food trucks, a variety of vendors, a bounce house, carnival games, crafts, face painting and more.
Premier teaches people of all ages a mixed curriculum that includes Taekwondo, karate, kickboxing, Krav Maga and some jiu-jitsu.
"We incorporate some character development and life skills as well as fitness and self protection," Kourtney Joyce, owner and manager of Premier Martial Arts, said. "We find that what we teach and how we teach is a well-rounded, practical and fun way to learn how to defend yourself."
She says Premier's main goal is to empower lives through martial arts.
Those interested in learning more about martial arts or how to defend themselves are encouraged to attend the Ninja Carnival to try it out in a no-cost, low-stakes environment. Premier Martial Arts also offers discounted trial classes so people can find out if it's right for them to pursue.
"Martial arts is so important; I've been doing it my entire life," Burkley Van Dell, head instructor at Premier Martial Arts, said. "It is so empowering and just being able to walk down the street and know if something does happen, you know how to defend yourself. Self defense is so important, and for little kids as well, it's not a safe world out there."
Some Premier Martial Arts students showed off their skills and what carnival-goers can learn on FOX43 Morning News at Nine:
The Ninja Carnival will be held at Market Square at Legacy Park in Mechanicsburg, at the studio's building at 100 Legacy Park Drive, Suite 106. It will take place from noon - 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7.