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The multicultural health event, which will kick off June 21, seeks topromote the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle among minoritiesby offering FREE health screenings, a health conference, parade, Real Men Cookcompetition, Guinness World Record Couples Salsa Dance, fitnessdemonstrations, live entertainment and a list of other activities in Houston'spremier downtown park attraction - Discovery Green.
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The festival, which drew more than 10,000 in its inaugural year at TomBass Park, is expected to attract more than 15,000 to its new centralizedlocation. The health event is FREE and open to the public. It will highlighthealth issues related to African Americans, Hispanic Americans and AsianAmericans. The event will operate from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m.
"The entire weekend provides a comfortable environment to learn how tomaintain and sustain a healthy lifestyle while bringing families closertogether," said Francis Page, Jr., chairman of the African American WellnessCommittee for the Houston Wellness Association. "This is a great event becauseof the rising costs of health care, the number of uninsured citizens and thegrowing health concerns within minority communities. We hope this eventbegins to reverse the alarming trend."
The event will offer a wide array of FREE health services that willbenefit Houston's high percentage of African Americans and Hispanics who areuninsured or underinsured. The Harris County Hospital District and the city'sDepartment of Health and Human Services will help to organize healthscreenings, child vaccinations, and H.I.V/AIDS testing during the event. Therewill also be information on home mortgage financing.
Discovery Green is the perfect venue for the family-oriented event. Asattendees walk the 12 acres of lush parkland, they can try their hand atdifferent sports games, enjoy live entertainment, and check out the goods,services and products being offered by more than 150 vendors.
Juneteenth is the common Texas phrase for June 19, 1865; the day whenUnion General Gordon Granger issued General Order #3 in Galveston, Texassetting free all remain African American slaves held in Texas.
A complete event schedule and media downloads can be found atwww.houstonhealthfestival.org.
SOURCE Houston Juneteenth Multicultural Health Festival
