More than 40 local health and wellness vendors will be on hand as visitors enjoy a long list of family-friendly activities and entertainment at the fourth annual Family Resource Fair on April 8.

Presented by Bristol Warren Thrive By 5 and Beyond, and Bristol Parks and Recreation, the fair is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Quinta-Gamelin Community Center, 101 Asylum Road. As in recent years, the resource fair will be an informative outlet for those anxious to receive pertinent Information on a variety of key health and wellness topics.

The free community event will feature more than 40 local health and wellness vendors offering materials and information on a variety of health-related topics, between a bevy of activities for young and old, according to Emily Pearce Spence, fair co-organizer.

“Kids of all ages will enjoy the YMCA’s ‘Y On the Move’ truck, a color fun run, face painting, touch a truck, inflatable slide, musical entertainment with Roger Williams University acapella group ‘Drastic Measures’ and Cricket Kids Music, a live animal show and a karate demonstration,” Ms. Spence said. “If you get hungry after all that activity, you can enjoy healthy food tastings and snacks, or visit the on-site food truck. You’ll also have a chance to win some great door prizes and giveaways.”
In addition, Bristol and Warren police will be performing child car-seat safety checks and fingerprinting services.

“And, if you’re spring cleaning, don’t forget the medicine cabinet,” Ms. Spence said. “A prescription drug drop-off box will be available for safe disposal of unwanted medicines.”

Now in their fourth year, fair organizers and founders of the local Thrive by 5 and Beyond group, Ms. Spence and Donna Ramos Razza, have again partnered with Bristol Parks and Recreation to expand the fair’s offerings to the community. Ms. Spence is coordinator of the Bristol Health Equity Zone and program manager of Parents As Teachers (offered by the Bristol Warren Regional School District). Ms. Razza is the director of family development at East Bay Community Action Program.

“The fair is a really fun way for us to showcase the resources available to families in our community, and it brings hundreds of people to our town’s beautiful Community Center facility, many of whom may never have visited before,” Ms. Spence said.

Bristol Parks and Recreation Director Walter Burke and Assistant Director Sarah Klein said they are happy to support health and wellness initiatives for all residents.

“We encourage all families to attend this exciting event,” Ms. Klein said.

Bristol Warren Thrive By 5 and Beyond is a coordinated network of collaborating agencies that support families in their efforts to help all children become successful learners. Bristol Warren Thrive By 5 and Beyond was co-founded by members of the Bristol Warren Regional School District Family Resource Center and the East Bay Community Action Program in April 2013.

For more information on the Family Resource Fair, or the group and its members or mission, email bristolwarrenthriveby5@gmail.com.