The 23rd annual Wild About Wellness Children's Health Fair takes place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Four States Fairgrounds Entertainment Center.
The health fair, presented by TownSquare Media and CHRISTUS St. Michael offers a lot to families, including 10 different health screenings, immunizations and access to a variety of medical professionals.
"These health screenings are a great chance for parents and families to get some preventive and wellness care that is always needed," said Sue Johnson, director of advocacy and community planning for St. Michael. "The screenings include vision, weight and height, dental, asthma and more. Families seeking immunizations for their children need to bring their current shot records. It is a wonderful opportunity for families and is also a fantastic opportunity for St. Michael to promote health, wellness, and safety and set a tone for maintaining good health in these kids' now and in the future."
Free immunizations can help parents get their children ready for the start of school which is right around the corner.
Immunizations are provided whether people have insurance or not. If they have private insurance or Medicaid, it will be billed.
"This benefits parents because they can come here and get the immunizations and because it's on a Saturday, they don't have to take off work,"Andi Darby, who's involved with organizing the health fair, said in an earlier article. "They can come here and get it all done at one time. All the local school districts give kids 30 days after the start of the school year to get the immunizations they need, which for a lot of families, means someone would have to take off work."
But Wild About Wellness isn't all serious business. A variety of fun activities will be available to keep families entertained, including bounce houses, games, tricycle races, a diaper derby, finger casting, a petting zoo and a bubblegum bubble-blowing contest.
There will also be a bicycle safety challenge that teaches kids about bicycle safety. Kids who participate in that activity will be fitted for a free bicycle helmet while supplies last.
Darby expects about 1,500 people to take advantage of the health fair.
"Everybody come on out and have a good time. It's free parking, free to enter and the services provided are free," Darby said.