Healthy Family Fair slated for Saturday
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Many agencies in Marshalltown offer children a wide range of services dealing with nutrition, mental health, public safety, literacy, general wellness and more. You can learn more about these options all in one location: CAPS will offer its summertime Healthy Family Fair Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of the Marshalltown Public Library. Co-sponsored by the library, free books will be given out to children.
CAPS also offers an indoor fair every February/March, but the pandemic required the agency to offer an outdoor alternative.
"CAPS approached us two years ago during COVID about offering a fair at the library," said Youth Services Librarian Joa LaVille. "We had a really good experience and decided to keep offering it, even after CAPS resumed its indoor fair, this past March."
Nearly 30 agencies will be set up with booths, providing information, activities for kids and other free items such as goodie bags.
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office and Marshalltown Police Department will have officers on hand to do free car seat safety checks. Primary Health Care will offer free COVID test kits and vaccines.
In addition, the ARL of Marshalltown will have adorable adoptable pets available to meet.
While the resources are aimed at prenatal care through preschool, kids of all ages are welcome to attend. A returning favorite will be bubble stations with Absolute Science.
"The people that come to the fair and learn about CAPS share that information with others. They see a resource a friend might be interested in, and they're good about telling people, which in turn, brings in more referrals and contacts," said CAPS Associate Director Nikki Hartwig.
LaVille noted having the fair at the library encourages kids to sign up for the summer reading program and learn more about what the library has to offer beyond books.
"It's a good reminder that the library is obviously about books and reading, but our mission is about connecting people with things they need to know," LaVille added.
Attendees will get to learn more about the library's MOBI (mobile library), which will be set up on the library lawn to see.
"It's always fun to relax outside and look at books," LaVille added. "People can check out books once the library opens at 1 p.m."
With the parking lot blocked off for the fair, additional parking will be available at Emerson.
The library's lobby will be open for restroom and drinking fountain access.
CAPS Community Relations Director Anna Hargrave said last March's fair held at the MHS Roundhouse -- the first one she attended as a CAPS employee -- was very impressive.
"I thought we had a really good turnout. There were a lot of people from the community and the agencies that participated had really good feedback." Hargrave said.
CAPS offers home visit programs, crisis services, school-based outreach and The Nest, which is an incentive-based program that provides Marshall County families access to necessary baby items.
In the case of inclement weather, a modified Healthy Family Fair will take place inside the library's lobby.
For more information, reach out to Hartwig at: 641-752-1730.
Learn more about CAPS here: www.capsonline.us.