Get ready for Back to School at Wayne County’s FREE Health and Safety Fun Fest, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 21. This annual free event will take place on the department’s park-like grounds, 33030 Van Born, at Venoy, in Wayne.
The fair helps Wayne County families prepare for a healthy start to the school year. Services offered include back-to-school immunizations (parents whose children are in need of back-to-school immunizations are asked to bring children’s immunization records to the event), health and dental screenings, and essential information about nutrition and exercise to promote healthier lifestyles. In addition, Free book bags and school supplies will be provided to the first 300 school-age children in attendance.
“Each and every day, Wayne County strives to improve the health and quality of life for our residents,” said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. “This back-to-school event is just one of many ways we work with community health partners throughout the year toward achieving that goal.”
The Fun Fest will also feature mobile “Health on Wheels” medical units from local health providers that offer dental and health screenings/education for adults and children, along with individualized follow-up referrals. Among the participants are Golden Dental and the Garden City Hospital Health Coach.
Health services include: blood pressure, glucose, dental, hearing and vision screenings; lead safe and smoking cessation information; West Nile virus prevention guidelines; HIV/STD education; infant safe sleep guidelines; maternal infant care and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program information.
The fair will feature 80 health-related vendor booths. There will be handouts and giveaways about healthy living; chronic disease prevention and management; low-cost health coverage plans, developments concerning the Affordable Care Act, and much, much more.
Tours of a new urban garden, located onsite, will be conducted throughout the day by a nutritionist. Tips on urban gardening for residents will be provided.
“Our overall goal is to provide residents with information and services for healthy living so they can take key proactive, preventive steps in their health care and lifestyle to prevent disease,” said Dr. Mouhanad Hammami, MD, Chief of Health Operations/ Health Officer, Wayne County Department of Health and Human Services. “We want to help Wayne County families and residents of all ages live healthier, more productive lives.”
Child safety photo/video IDs that include CDs containing digital fingerprints, dental impressions and vital information will be provided by Wayne Masonic Lodge 112. Parents or guardians must accompany children and complete a consent form for this service.
In addition, fire safety education will be provided. Families can learn life-saving home fire safety evacuation techniques inside the Wayne-Westland Fire Department’s state-of-the-art mobile Smoke House.
The Fifth Third Bank eBus, on its national tour, will provide important “dollars and sense” information for residents, families and homeowners about programs that can benefit their overall quality of life and financial well-being.
Family entertainment throughout the day will include: Children’s games, face painting, health mascots and balloon art. Another highlight is a “Wayne Idol Karaoke Contest” for kids with one lucky young singer being named the “2014 Wayne Idol.”
There will be prize drawings, including a car seat, bicycle and bike safety helmet giveaway.
Free haircuts will be available to children, courtesy of L’Espirit Academy.
The Wayne County Department of Public Health will provide free, nutritious lunches to youth, ages 18 and under, as part of its summer food program. Grilled hotdogs and refreshments will also be served.
visit www.waynecounty.com, click on tab for “Featured Event.”
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