WHEATON, MD—Hispanic Heritage Month begins, September 15. To celebrate the Montgomery County Department of Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will join the County Executive’s Office of Community Partnerships, the Latino Health Initiative of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the Montgomery County Recreation Department, Radio America and other local organizations for the day-long “Ama tu Vida” Health Fair at Wheaton Regional Park, Saturday, September 22.
“This fair is a celebration of Latino culture and tradition and is part of an ongoing effort to inform educate and empower the Latino community to adapt healthy lifestyles,” said Latino Health Initiative Program Manager Sonia Mora.
As part of this FREE health fair, several area hospitals, community clinics and health care providers, including Adventist Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital and Suburban Hospital will offer FREE health screenings, such as blood pressure, cholesterol and vision at the park, 2000 Shorefield Road, from 12:00 noon until 5:00 pm. In addition, the “Ama tu Vida” Health Fair will feature live music by el Charro Javier and Son de Borinquen, with Dulzura Band taking the stage at 4:00 pm to close out the day’s celebration. Food will also be available for purchase.
New this year, the Department of Parks, Recreation Department and the Interagency Coordinating Board Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) are also hosting a soccer tournament from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm on the park’s athletic fields at 11717 Orebaugh Avenue. Up to 20 adult teams (ages 18 years and older) of seven will compete in 40-minute soccer games on four park fields for the grand prize trophy to be presented at the tournament’s conclusion by County Executive Isiah Leggett. To sign-up to compete in the tournament, contact the Recreation Department at 240-777-2702.
“We thought the soccer tournament would be a fun way to put some of the goals of the fair—health and fitness—into action,” said Department of Parks Recreation Coordinator Christy Turnbull.
Part of the day’s fun will also include a raffle, with chances to win FREE tickets to the popular county Harvest Festival October 6 and 7 at the Agricultural History Farm Park and complimentary admission to the Wheaton Haunted Train at Wheaton Regional Park this October.
Wheaton Regional Park features the Brookside Nature Center, the Wheaton Miniature Train and Carousel, Brookside Gardens, Wheaton Riding Stables, the Wheaton Ice Arena and Wheaton Indoor Tennis Facility. At the park, there is also more than 10 miles of natural and hard-surface trails, picnic areas and playgrounds and six outdoor tennis courts.
For more information on this year’s “Ama tu Vida” Health Fair, call the Latino Health Initiative at 240-777-3221 and for more on Wheaton Regional Park, see www.MontgomeryParks.org.
# # #
Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866