Healthy living promoted at Fair on Saturday

The eighth annual Safety, Health and Wellness Fair returns to Pioneer Plaza on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and is hosted by Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2.

The annual event underwent a name change this year to accommodate the expansion of the fair, which now includes multiple demonstrations on safety and proactive ways to stay healthy. All three local law enforcement departments have booths at the fair encouraging safety, and the fire department is joining the fair this year in wake of the house fire tragedy in Lind earlier this year. The department is planning to give out an emergency fire ladder during the event.

The annual event provides visitors with an extensive amount of health and safety information as well as providing community members with opportunities for health tests.

The complete list of vendors for the fair are: Adams County Health Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Aflac, Aging and Adult Care of Central Washington, Rockwood Health System, Assured Home Health and Hospice, Big Bend Electric Cooperative, Costco, Cookie Lee Jewelry, DSHS Community Service Division, Dr. David Engen ­– Orthodontist, INBC, Inland Imaging, Mary Kay, Rose Garden Estates, Shriners Hospital, Life Care Center of Ritzville, Northwest MedStar – Pediatric ambulance, Ritzville Police Department, Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, Take Shape for Life, The Ultimate Body Applicator and Washington State Patrol.

Sponsors for the event are Ritzville Warehouse Company, Avista Utilities, Premera Blue Cross, Parker Smith Feek, East Adams County Healthcare Foundation and Inland Imaging.

For more information about the Health Fair, contact East Adams Rural Hospital at 659-1200, or visit, http://www.earh.com.

Activities

A broad range of vendors are slated for the annual fair, and visitors have an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities throughout the day.

Direct labs provided at the health fair include general health panels for $10, and a vitamin D test for the cost of $25. East Adams County Healthcare Foundation and Premera sponsor both labs.

Costco is providing hearing screenings, and East Adams Rural Hospital is offering blood pressure tests. Inland Northwest Blood Center is also coordinating a blood drive during the event.

EARH’s physical therapist Dale Nelson is also provided myofascial release massages during the event. Nelson’s specialty is myofascial release therapy, which is a technique that uses slight pressure to release tension, and eliminate aches and pains.

Big Bend Electric Co-op is having an electric power line safety demonstration, which is located in the parking lot across from the train depot. The demonstration is on a trailer and will display the dangers and proper procedures for working around power lines. The purpose of the trailer demonstration is for community education and information for individuals who work around power lines, such as firefighters, police and first responders.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) assists visitors with applying for services such as cash assistance, basic food assistance, medical assistance programs, drug and alcohol treatment services, childcare services and replacement EBT Card. Visitors can also drop off paperwork, complete an eligibility review, mid-certification review or make changes to an existing case.

Youth Activities

A variety of kids’ activities are planned during the event and include a treasure hunt, beanbag toss, glitter tattoos and a ring toss.

In the vendor treasure hunt, Parker, Smith and Feek donated all of the gift cards. In the kid’s treasure hunt, the first place prize is two $25 Visa gift cards, second place is one $25 Visa gift certificate and third place is a basket with variety of kids’ games. Adults can also join in the vendor treasure hunt and for adults, first place is a $100 in Visa gift cards, second place is a one-night stay at the Best Western and third place is a basket donated by Inland Imaging.

The prizes have been switched from material items to gift cards to allow the participants an opportunity to purchase things they may need, such as groceries or school supplies.

Food and Retail Vendors

Retail vendors bring a wide variety of attractions to this year’s fair, and the expansion to include more diverse vendors is something the fair coordinators are excited to provide.

Joining the fair for the first time this year are Mary Kay, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Take Shape for Life and The Ultimate Body Applicator. Each vendor takes a different approach on promoting health and happiness.

The Ritzville Festivals Association is going to be selling hotdogs, German sausage, cookies and drinks. The local EMTs are planning to make snow cones for youngsters attending the Saturday event.

In cooperation with the fair, the AAUW is hosting a book sale on Washington Street from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. A variety of used books will be available for purchase and baked goods are also available.