For 32 years, the Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary Club and South Peninsula Hospital have teamed up to bring the southern Kenai Peninsula the annual health fair.
The purpose is all in the fair’s theme: Take a Day to Be Well.
This year the fair takes place from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the Homer High School Commons. As in years past, it’s part health education, part social event and a whole lot of fun.
Low cost blood tests can be done in advance at the hospital or the day of the fair by making an appointment at www.sphosp.org or by calling the Health Fair Hotline at 399-3158. Walk-ins the day of the fair are welcome.The hospital lab recommends only water be consumed 10-12 hours before the blood draw. Diabetics, however, should not fast and all prescription medication should be taken.
In addition, fair exhibitors will offer all kinds of free screenings — for example, there will be blood pressure tests, hearing screenings and vision screenings for children. (For a full list of exhibitors and what they offer, see pages 14-16.)
Sharon Minsch, who has coordinated the fair for Rotary for the past nine years, encourages everyone to take advantage of all the fair has to offer.
“You can’t beat the price for blood tests. There’s always great information about all different kinds of things. People should come and see local professionals who are providing all kinds of information about health and fitness,” she said.
More than 60 exhibitors will offer information and demonstrations on everything from arthritis to sleep disorders. Nolan the Colon and Polypman, perennial favorites, will be at the fair, so people can learn how to prevent colon cancer.
Other fair features include 200 free flu shots, eye glass collection, the Halloween candy exchange and Medicaid enrollment. Exhibitors will be demonstrating the benefits of massage and a host of other healthy activities.The schedule of entertainment includes:
9:30 a.m.: Seaside Singers
9:30 a.m.: Yoga
10 a.m.: Zumba
10:30 a.m: Chair Yoga
11 a.m.: Tai Chi
11:30 a.m.: Ukulele Group
“It’s an amazing outpouring of community service — not just from the 60 members of Rotary but from all the exhibitors. They’re not trying to sell you anything, they’re just providing good information to keep the community healthy,” said Minsch.
Rotary Health Fair
When:
7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday
Where:
Homer High School
Who:
Sponsored by Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary in cooperation with South Peninsula Hospital
— for you
What:
60+ exhibitors offering one-stop shopping for information, demonstrations, screenings and more to improve your health and wellness
Cost:
Free admission, there’s only a charge for the low-cost blood tests
