Safety fair to inform families in ‘fun and festive environment’

At this weekend’s Children’s Health and Safety FUN! Fair, the focus will be on the well-being of children and a continued healthy lifestyle through free tests and screenings.

The fair will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church.

The fair, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of South Central Indiana, will offer free lead poisoning tests and glucose screenings for children, in order to promote good health.

“A lot of children are exposed to lead in different areas, even in their toys,” said Vanessa McClary, chair of the event and Kiwanis Club of South Central Indiana president. “In the hospitals, they’re paying for those lead screenings, which are really pretty expensive.”

To lend parents a hand and raise awareness, bike helmet and car seat fitting safety demonstrations will also be offered.

Tests will be available for the parents as well, including blood pressure screenings, McClary said.

The fair, which is in its third year, will feature the Windfall Dancers, Bloomington’s oldest community modern dance collective, and David’s Magic Show. Hot air balloon rides will also be available before the fair, starting at 7:30 a.m.

Door prizes will be among the festivities, and all are “geared toward staying active,” McClary said.

“Last year a couple of our teachers did kind of an impromptu workshop with some of the people in the crowd, and they really had a great time doing it,” said Kay Olges, president of the Windfall Dancers.

Shirley Stumpner, director of South Central Community Action Program, Inc. and one of the sponsors of the event, is excited to take part again.

“It really provides a great opportunity for families to receive health and safety info in kind of a fun and festive environment,” she said.