Red balloons sporting the phrase “BU, Be Well” adorned the stairs of the George Sherman Union leading the way to the 2006 Boston University Wellness Fair in Metcalf Hall Wednesday afternoon.

The Wellness Fair, an annual event at BU and hosted by the Office of Residence Life, attracted about 60 students.

“It has been put on for almost 11 years now,” ORL Health and Wellness Educator Beth Grampetro said, “In an effort to make students aware of available resources both on and off campus.”

Usually the event falls later in the spring, but it was moved to January after the administration realized students would be more susceptible to change directly after the New Year.

“Whether [students’ New Year resolutions] are diet or exercise, they can find help here,” Grampetro said.

Approximately 28 organizations showcased their services this year which “creates a pretty big variety,” she said.

These organizations ranged from on-campus services, including the Education Resource Center, the Student Activities Office, the Escort Service, the Fitness and Recreation Center, the Howard Thurman Center and Student Employment, as well as off-campus establishments like Planned Parenthood, REI, EMS and the Red Cross.

Grampetro said the administration encouraged these organizations to make their booths as interactive as possible. She was trying to make it less like an ordinary college fair where students “just put brochures in bags without listening to the vendors.”

To promote interaction, Rape Aggression Defense demonstrations were performed by the BU Police Department. Other booths had blood pressure checks and acupuncture.

The Wellness Fair was an event where students could come and go, according to their schedule. Many students came in between classes.

There was a large turnout from the Wellness House, which made the fair a house event. While some students in attendance claimed they just wanted free stuff, College of Arts and Sciences freshman Melissa Russell said she found it worthwhile.

“I found out about a lot of stuff I didn’t think about before,” she said. “You go to these tables and find they have something really useful to tell you.”

There were performances by Dance Theatre Group, Fusion, The Dear Abbeys and BU on Tap. The Dance Theatre Group said they were amused when Rhett spoofed their moves offstage.

Fusion member Pamela Tamayo said her group performed because of the physical aspect of dancing.

“It is a way for promoting ourselves,” the College of Communication junior said, “and also because we believe in wellness. We even practice by doing cardio for four hours each week.”

Officials said the turnout was the best they had in years, but Dear Abbey performer Nathan Brenner said he wished there had been more.

“I wish that there was more attendance,” the CAS sophomore said. “Not for performance levels, but for the Wellness Center — they obviously have a good thing going here.”