Children can get their teeth checked and get caught up on their shots, and parents can make sure their youngsters’ car seats are properly installed at The Spring Family Fair.
The Spring Family Fair, a free health and safety event for people of all ages, is Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Merced County Fairgrounds’ Commerce Building, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced.
Sponsored by the Merced County Department of Public Health, more than 50 programs and agencies will provide free health screenings, information and demonstrations. These will include: immunizations for children (bring shot record), dental screenings for children, vision and fitness screenings, cholesterol and diabetes screening, osteoporosis (bone density) screening, blood pressure checks, TB skin tests, children’s fingerprint photo ID program, nutrition information, tobacco education and breast health education.
A new service at this year’s fair will be a child car seat safety check. Trained certified technicians will inspect child safety seats and show parents how to correctly install them. Those who want to participate in the car seat check should enter the fairgrounds from Martin Luther King Jr. Way and drive into the area designated for the checks.
"The goal is to provide as many health screenings and demonstrations and as much information to people as possible, so they can protect their health," said Rob Jarvis, Health Education Administrator for the county’s Department of Public Health. "We really focus on doing health screenings, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, vision and children’s dental screenings. It’s a good opportunity to get these screenings done at no cost."
To keep the fun in the fair for young children, there will be a bounce house, clowns, balloons, face painting and food will be available for sale from the Kiwanis Club of Merced. Radio Lobo will do a live remote broadcast during the event.
The fair started in 1998 at Merced’s Applegate Park and moved to the fairgrounds in 2001. Up to 2,000 people have attended previous fairs, Jarvis said.
For more information, call the Merced County Department of Public Health at 381-1223 or 381-1277.
For information about Merced County Fairgrounds facilities, call the fair office at 722-1507 or email to Info@MercedCountyFair.com or fax at 722-3773.
