The Minnesota State Fair is all about tradition. Most fairgoers have their favorite food, freebie, donut stand, and even parking spot. There are must-visit spots like the animal barns, the Grandstand, and the Midway/Kidway. Health Fair 11 at the Fair has become one of those must-visit traditions too.
This will be the 16th year that Health Fair 11 has provided free and low-cost health checks to people attending the Minnesota State Fair. Health Fair 11 at the Fair offers a variety of health screenings and education in its building located at the intersection of Dan Patch Avenue and Cooper Streets.
Eighteen organizations are joining forces in the Health Fair 11 building. Among the services offered: blood pressure checks, hearing assessments, blood typing, balance screenings, and memory-loss evaluations. Health experts will weigh fairgoers, check blood sugar levels, and teach hand-only CPR. Fairgoers can find the newest information related to food allergies or pick up the official list of state fair foods that are gluten-free. Nurses will administering flu shots to people age three and older. (People should bring their insurance cards as most insurance programs will pay for these vaccinations.) Information about Minnesota’s newborn screening program will be provided. Fairgoers will also find an area to relax while recharging electronic devices – for free!
New this year
Fairgoers can be part of medical history. Researchers with the Healthy Brain Initiative are looking for 3,000 people, ages four to 100, to take part in a brain research project. Participants will have their eye movement tracked as part of a study on brain function. The research may one day help detect and treat brain injuries.
Returning this year
An oldie but goodie health screening returns to the Health Fair 11 building after a two year absence. Forget the carny worker who tries to guess people’s weight. Instead, Anytime Fitness invites fairgoers to step on their finely-calibrated weight scale to get an official reading. Don’t worry, results will be kept confidential!
Health Fair 11 at the Fair participants
Memorial Blood Centers Free blood typing is offered to anyone age 16 or older. With just a tiny finger prick, fairgoers will find out if they have A, B, or O type blood.
Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association Fairgoers will find the latest information on food allergies at the AFAA booth. Information on fun fair alternatives for people will food allergy issues will also be available.
R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Celiac Kids) / Celiac Center of Minnesota These two organizations have assembled a comprehensive list of gluten-free Fair foods. Stop by to pick up the official list and other information on living with gluten sensitivities.
Anytime Fitness While many people live in denial about how much they weigh, others find great fun in learning their official weight. Anytime Fitness is the place to learn about living a healthy life and achieving the right body weight.
HealthStar Home Health Memory assessments are used for early detection of cognitive decline which could be a result of an undiagnosed health issue. HealthStar staff will provide one-on-one discussions about memory issues.
UCare A trip to the Fair would not be complete without a new teal tote bag from UCare. Stop by at the top of every hour for an opportunity to claim a UCare bag to transport all the other Fair freebies. Be sure to thank UCare for being an official sponsor of Health Fair 11. Their support makes Health Fair 11 at the Fair possible.
Healthy Brain Initiative The Minnesota Healthy Brain Initiative aims to increase awareness regarding brain health and brain function. Fairgoers can take part in a research project that may one day help diagnose and treat brain injuries.
Hennepin County Medical Center HCMC is offering fairgoers a variety of health and safety experiences. Among the topics covered: stroke risk assessments, car seat safety, trauma prevention, poison vs. candy display, hands-only CPR, and burn prevention. Be sure to thank HCMC for being an official sponsor of Health Fair 11. Their support makes Health Fair 11 at the Fair possible.
MVNA Nurses with MVNA are doing double duty this year. They will check blood pressures and administer flu vaccinations. Seasonal flu shots are available for people age three and older. It’s a perfect time to vaccinate the entire family (before sending them back to school or off to college.) Be sure to bring along insurance cards or other proof of insurance. MVNA can directly bill most health plans.
MDH Newborn Screening Program The Newborn Screening Program will have listening stations to allow people to hear stories from families impacted by the program. Expectant moms can get a special giveaway if they take part in a short survey.
Cub Pharmacy A pharmacist should be part of everyone’s health team. Cub pharmacists will offer counseling on diabetes awareness, along with a five question diabetes risk assessment and free blood glucose checks.
Minnesota Academy of Audiology For five dollars, fairgoers can have their hearing checked and see their eardrum on a video monitor. Audiologists will be available to answer questions about hearing loss. Staff will give away ear plugs and batteries-on-a-stick to current hearing aid users.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Fairgoers will find a place to Relax & Recharge thanks to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The Arb is creating a place to de-stress and rest tired feet. At the same time, fairgoers can recharge, for free, their portable electronic devices. Furniture for this exhibit is provided by By the Yard. https://www.bytheyard.net/
Limited time opportunities
On designated days, fair attendees can learn about Minnesota’s new medical marijuana industry from LeaflineLabs. Sickle Cell Support Services of Minnesota will provide information on sickle cell anemia disease. Learn about Minnesota’s SAGE Program which offers mammogram and cervical cancer education. The University of St. Thomas will be surveying fairgoers about their thoughts on health care. And staff from the National Dizzy and Balance Center will be checking people for stability issues.
About Health Fair 11
Health Fair 11 coordinates Health Fair 11 at the Fair. Health Fair 11 is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide health education and free or low-cost health screenings. Health Fair 11 operates with support from KARE 11 TV, UCare, and Hennepin County Medical Center. Learn more at www.HealthFair11.org .
