Free Hilltop Healthy Kids & Family Carnival Feb. 27 at People’s Center
7th annual health and wellness fair features carnival games, music, dance, raffles, food
The gymnasium of People’s Community Center will go into party mode from noon until 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, when it hosts its annual health and wellness fair: the Hilltop Healthy Kids & Family Carnival.
Its organizer, Tacoma dentist Robin Jones, promises a true carnival atmosphere for children, a sweet way to deliver a serious message about the importance of physical fitness, good nutrition, regular medical and dental care, and emotional well-being.
She’s invited hip-hop disc jockey Supa Sam, hip-hop dancers and a step team to perform. Partner organizations such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department have volunteered to run the carnival games and other child-centered activities to promote healthy lifestyles.
Other partners include the City of Tacoma’s Heathy Homes Healthy Neighborhoods program, the Tacoma Urban League, the Hilltop Action Coalition, the Ebony Nurses Association, Youth for Christ, and Hilltop Urban Gardens, which last year brought seeds for the kids to plant.
Dr. Jones and her team of dental assistants will set up a mobile dental exam station where they will clean teeth and perform oral assessments without charge.
Volunteers will dish up a free spaghetti dinner and free souvenir T-shirts will be distributed.
Past events also have featured karate demonstrations and face painting.
Dr. Jones contributes her efforts through her nonprofit, Children’s International Health Relief. Other sponsors are UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, which offers free and low-cost health insurance, and MedlinePlus, online medical information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Hilltop Healthy Kids and Family Carnival
What: Health and wellness fair
When: Noon until 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27
Where: People’s Community Center, 1602 MLK Jr. Way, Tacoma
Cost: Free
Information: (253) 591-5321