FLINT, MI -- The 36th annual Crim Festival of Races may not get started until Saturday morning, but the festivities surrounding the event begin much sooner.

The Crim Fitness Foundation, along with multiple local sponsors, have helped set up numerous events in downtown Flint for Crim participants and the general public to enjoy leading up to race day.

The Health and Fitness Expo, presented by Patsy Lou Automotive Group, begins at 2 p.m. Thursday at Riverfront Conference Center. The expo, which runs until 8 p.m. Thursday as well as from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 6:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, will consist of businesses and organization promoting the latest in health and fitness.

"We try to get a real good variety of sports and fitness organizations involved and there is a real emphasis on running gear and that kind of stuff," Keith Keeler, the expo coordinator, said. "This is where the vendors come to give runners great discounts and a lot of runners look forward to this to stock up on their running gear and such. We have the stuff runners are looking for."

The expo will have about 50 different vendors as well as physical therapists who can give runners tips on how to prevent injuries. The event is free to everyone, but will also serve as a packet pick up for Crim participants. Keeler said runners can pick up their packets anytime during the expo, but he suggests sooner rather than later.

At 4 p.m. Friday, special guest Pete Thomas, an Ann Arbor native and contestant on NBC's "The Biggest Loser," will be on hand to talk to those in attendance and answer any questions. Thomas lost 185 pounds during the second season of the show in 2005 and won the $100,000 prize for highest percentage of weight lost.

Keeler said one of the most popular aspects of the expo is the many race programs that visit to inform Crim runners about upcoming events in the area.

"A lot of organizations come to our event to promote what races they have coming up because we get a lot of runners here for the Crim," he said. "We are always saying to our participants to keep running and other races give them a goal to keep reaching for."

Downtown Flint will also be a hot spot for live music and entertainment this weekend in the Festival Lot between First and Kearsley streets. On Friday, Meijer presents "80's Night," with live music, break dancers and an American-made 1980s car show.

The "80's Night" event will take place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. alongside Shelter of Flint's 15th annual The Crim Pasta Party. ROCKSTAR and The Square Pegz will be providing free live music during the night and food vendors will be in the lot as well.

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Health and Fitness Expo, live music help kick off Crim Festival of Races in downtown Flint