T-R PHOTO BY Lana Bradstream Children blow, chase and try to catch bubbles during the Healthy Family Fair at the Marshalltown Public Library Saturday morning. The Bubble Station was courtesy of Absolute Science.

Despite the heat and wind, hundreds of people showed up for the annual Healthy Family Fair on Saturday at the Marshalltown Public Library.

Hosted by the library and Child, Adolescent and Parent Support (CAPS), the event brings different organizations together so residents can learn more about available resources. Co-organizer Joa LaVille, the library youth services manager, thought the turnout went remarkably well even though the temperatures were climbing into the high 80s, low 90s.

“I was not only happy with the turnout of the crowd, but also they say it takes a village, and events like this show you what a village we have in Marshalltown,” she said. “All these people and organizations are willing to come out, give up their Saturday morning, melt with a smile and interact with families. It’s really something to be proud of.”

Two of the newer booths at the fair this year were from the 13th Street District and Yoga in the Park, because LaVille said both are doing cool stuff for the community which fit into the fair’s theme.

She highlighted a bus from Marshalltown Municipal Transit, which has participated in the fair for the last three years. Some friends of the library tied the vehicle into a popular children’s book “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” by Mo Willems by placing a pigeon inside and letting children board.

“Every kid loves that book,” LaVille said, laughing. “It’s fun to see how different organizations adapt with our mission.”

Besides connecting people with resources, LaVille said it also gave the library an opportunity to inform adults and kids about the Summer Reading Challenge. The challenge began June 1 and lasts until Aug. 17.

“In spite of being super sweaty [today], this is one of our favorite events,” LaVille said.

One booth which was particularly popular with old and young alike was the bubble station courtesy of Absolute Science. Tables were set up with large tubs of bubble fluid and various sized wands. The wind was helpful in sending the bubbles floating across the library lawn.

“The bubbles are always a hit and a great activity for all ages,” she said. “You can speak any language and enjoy the activity as there are no directions to follow.”

Marshalltown Area United Way board members Sandra Alcala and Becky Jacobson, Events and Marketing Manager Rachel Norton and Executive Director Kendra Sorensen man their booth at the annual Healthy Family Fair on Saturday.

Another booth was set up by Marshalltown Area United Way, which was unable to attend last year. Executive Director Kendra Sorensen said they were “super stoked” to be at Saturday’s event and were loving it. The organization brought a cornhole game to give kids a chance to pick a prize.

“This is a very important thing for us to be at,” she said. “Really connecting individuals and families to important resources in our community. It allows us an opportunity to have some outreach in the community.”

Sorensen was also happy with the turnout, especially with the temperature and was thankful for the breeze. Although the latter did wreak some havoc on the fair as organization representatives had to secure brochures, informational documents and other lightweight materials to keep them from being blown away.

She added the next United Way event will be Music Bingo at Tannin on Tuesday at 6 p.m. There will be raffle drawings, including Adventureland tickets and whoever wins bingo will get a gift card. Sorensen also teased about a secret fundraiser which will be unveiled this week.