FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — “Healthy State Fair fun since 2001!”
Amid the cheese curds, corn dogs, mini donuts, and (insert your preferred food item here)-on-a-stick, you'll find an oasis of health at the Minnesota State Fair. Health Fair 11 at the Fair returns for its 22nd year of offering free or low-cost health checks and health education for people attending the Minnesota State Fair.
Get checked out (again)!
Since launching in 2001, more than 1.3 million screenings and health connections have been tabulated by Health Fair 11 exhibitors.
This year, twenty organizations are offering services like blood typing, memory-loss evaluations, and genetic testing education. Learn about Minnesota’s medical cannabis program from the organizations that oversee it. Pick up the official list of state fair foods that are gluten-free and talk with the people who compiled it. Free vision checks are available for children six months to 16 years old. The entire family can get their annual flu shots from friendly Cub pharmacists. (Remember to bring insurance cards as most insurance programs will pay for these vaccinations.)
On select days fairgoers will find information on how to live with sickle cell anemia and kidney disease, breast cancer resources, how to cope with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, and how to prevent overdoses.
New this year
How healthy are your lungs? This year a coalition of Minnesota medical organizations are joining forces to talk with fairgoers about their lung functions and help determine if they are eligible for a CT scan. The group is led by an expert with the Mayo health system.
Two new groups, Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge (MnTC) and Minnesota Prevention & Recovery Alliance (MnPRA) join forces to provide information on addiction prevention and recovery. The MnTC is highlighting Overdose Awareness Day (August 31) and the importance of safely disposing unused and old prescription medication. The MnPRA will highlight prevention, education, and recovery services for people struggling with addiction issues. The groups will be present during the second half of the fair.
Finally, women in their 60s will want to stop by on Senior days to learn about a new healthcare company designed just for them. Herself Health is opening doors in Minnesota to provide services specifically for those 65+.
Where to find Health Fair 11
Health Fair 11 at the Fair is located on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds at the intersection of Dan Patch Avenue and Cooper Street. The building is open from 9:00 a.m.to 8:00 p.m. every day of the Fair.
COMPLETE EXHIBITOR LINE-UP
Here is a rundown of the various organizations and the services they are providing. Age restrictions and hours of availability may apply to some health activities.
Flu Vaccinations and Blood Pressure checks - Cub
Thousands of Minnesotans have made ‘flu shots’ one of their State Fair traditions. Since 2009 more than 35,100 flu shots have been given at the Fair. Cub Pharmacy is back this year to provide fairgoers with their annual flu vaccination. Stop into the Health Fair 11 building between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily.
Fair time is the perfect time to vaccinate the entire family before sending them back to school or off to college. If available, high dose vaccine will be offered to those over 65 years of age. You must be 5 years of age or older to be vaccinated at the fair. Be sure to bring prescription cards, medical cards, insurance cards or any other proof of insurance.
In addition, Cub will have self-service machines available to conveniently check your blood pressure and weight/body mass index.
Learn more about Cub at www.cub.com.
Thank you, Cub, for being an official 2023 sponsor for Health Fair 11 at the Fair.
Blood Typing – Memorial Blood Centers
Memorial Blood Centers has been serving communities in Minnesota by providing blood products and biomedical services since 1948. For more than two decades, MBC has partnering with Health Fair 11 by testing and determining the blood type of fairgoers 16 years of age or older. Through this quick and accurate test, individuals will learn something unique about themselves and gain a better understanding of the need for blood in our communities. Friendly MBC staff will explain how fairgoers can contribute to meeting that blood supply need.
Visit Memorial Blood Centers website at MBC.ORG.
Genetic Testing Education – HealthPartners
HealthPartners is promoting its DNA health testing program, myGenetics, which is open to all patients 18 years and older. DNA makes you you, and it may hold the key to understanding certain health risk factors. That’s why HealthPartners created myGenetics, a community health research program.
The knowledge gained can be used to provide more personalized care to HealthPartners’ patients, families, and community – building a healthier future for all.
Learn more online at healthpartners.com/mygenetics.
Medical Cannabis Information (two options)
NOTE: Medical cannabis has received approval from the Minnesota Department of Health to treat people with a variety of conditions, such as: PTSD, Chronic Pain, Sleep Apnea, Cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, Epilepsy, Sickle Cell Disease, Intractable Pain, HIV/AIDS, and more. People living with these ailments must get ‘certified’ in order to be eligible to medical cannabis prescriptions.
Option 1 - Green Goods/Vireo team members will educate fairgoers who are curious and want to learn more about medical cannabis in Minnesota. They will have product packaging demos (NO CANNABIS INCLUDED IN PRODUCT DEMOS, NO SAMPLES OR SELLING OF PRODUCT) and a variety of giveaways and promotions.
Green Good’s motto is To embrace and enable goodness. The Mission of Vireo Health to is to build the cannabis company of the future by bringing the best of medicine, engineering, and science to the cannabis industry. Vireo is a physician-led cannabis company focused on bringing the best of technology, science, and engineering to the cannabis industry.
Vireo manufactures proprietary, branded cannabis products in environmentally friendly facilities, state-of-the-art cultivation sites and distributes its products through its growing network of Green Goods™ and other retail locations and third-party dispensaries.
Vireo’s team of more than 400 employees, led by scientists, engineers, and cultivation experts, is focused on efficiency and the creation of best-in-class products, while driving scientific innovation within the cannabis industry and developing meaningful intellectual property.
Learn more: www.vireohealth.com or www.visitgreengoods.com/mn
Option 2
RISE Medical Cannabis is more than a dispensary with high quality, tested, medical cannabis products on its shelves. RISE is a destination where well-being is approached with a rounded perspective and a human touch. RISE dispensaries serving patients in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis program are open in Eagan, Hibbing, St. Cloud, Saint Paul, Mankato, New Hope, and Willmar.
For more information, visit the RISE website.
Memory Assessment & Alzheimer's Education – Bluestone Physician Services and Suite Living Senior Care
August 24-29
Bluestone Physician Services is an innovative primary care practice, delivering on-site care to patients living in Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities as well as those with disabilities in both residential and community settings. Providing care since 2006 for chronically ill, elderly, and disabled individuals, Bluestone is Minnesota's leading on-site primary medical care provider. Bluestone will be offering free memory screenings and information about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
For more information and Bluestone Physician Services locations, please visit www.BluestoneMD.com.
August 30 – September 4
Suite Living Senior Care is a locally owned/operated company consisting of 13 Assisted Living & Memory Care communities in the Twin Cities area. It has five more senior communities opening by the end of year, 2023.
All of its communities consist of 32 private suites all on one level in a fully secure, homelike setting. Suite Living prides itself in the high acuity focused care provided to its seniors through end of life. Suite Living started a Hospice company last year and provides Hospice Services within all Suite Living communities to those in need.
For more information on Suite Living Senior Care, please visit www.suitelivingseniorcare.com.
Gluten-free Fair Foods List & Celiac Disease Education - Raising Our Celiac Kids-Twin Cities Chapter
Raising Our Celiac Kids (ROCK) – Twin Cities Chapter, also known as Twin Cities ROCK, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Twin Cities ROCK returns to fair this year with their Gluten Free Awareness Booth as part of Health Fair 11.
Twin Cities ROCK has become a fundamental part of Minnesota’s health community, providing essential information for those navigating through their Celiac and subsequent gluten-free lifestyle while providing opportunities for children and families with Celiac Disease. Twin Cities ROCK offers an abundance of information through their volunteers. It also researches and compiles the ‘Gluten Free Foods at the Fair List’ each year. This resource provides a lifeline to all those gluten-free fair guests and the ability to enjoy the whole Minnesota State Fair experience without the worry of where to eat. The list can be found at any information booth and at the Twin Cities ROCK booth located inside the Health Fair 11 building.
Check them out on Facebook at Twin Cites ROCK or their website
Kids Vision Screenings - MD5M Lions KidSight Foundation.
The MD5M Lions KidSight Foundation, Inc is comprised of members of Lions Clubs from Minnesota, Northwest Ontario and Manitoba in Canada. Their goal is to provide vision screening to all children between the ages of 6 months to 16 years to detect vision problems that can impact kids’ ability to see and learn. All children participating in the vision screening program will receive a pair of children’s sunglasses.
More information about Lions KidSight can be found at: www.kidsightmd5m.org
Food Allergy Information & Education - Anaphylaxis & Food Allergy Association of Minnesota
AFAA is a Minnesota state-wide, all-volunteer nonprofit whose mission is food allergy education, advocacy, and support. Their motto is “Taking the fear out of food allergies.”
AFAA's booth will have food allergy information, literature, and interactive quiz about food allergies, and on select days Ask-the-Doctor segments featuring leading Minnesota allergists. Contact AFAA by email at info@minnesotafoodallergy.org or check out their website.
LIMITED ENGAGEMENTS
On designated days, fair attendees can talk with experts on the following topics.:
August 28 & 31
Healthcare for women 65+ - Herself Health
Herself Health is the first healthcare company designed for women 65+. Herself Health provides comprehensive primary care and offers a holistic approach that goes beyond labs, medication, imaging, more doctors, and surgery. It looks at the whole picture of a patient’s health and wellness, including mobility, mental health, social and behavioral health, and the patient’s life journey. Herself Health is working to ensure each one of its patients is properly cared for, listened to, and supported through this next stage of their lives.
Herself Health currently operates a clinic in Highland Park (2004 Ford Pkwy.) On September 11 a new clinic will open in Crystal (5200 Douglas Dr N.) A third clinic will open by the end of the year in south Minneapolis (5452 Lyndale Ave.)
Learn more at Herself Health’s website.
August 24-26
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness - PanCAN Minnesota
The Pancreatic Cancer Action (PanCAN) has a vision to create a world in which all patients with pancreatic cancer will thrive. Its mission is to take bold action to improve the lives of everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer by advancing scientific research, building community, sharing knowledge, and advocating for patients.
The Minnesota Affiliate will be available to answer questions, provide educational materials, informational brochures, and one-sheets. It will distribute pancreatic cancer awareness items such as purple ribbons, purple bracelets, and temporary tattoos, Fair staffers will offer support to anyone who’s been impacted by pancreatic cancer.
Speech Pathology & Occupational Therapy - Holland Connections
Holland Connections offers services to both adults and children of varying diagnoses. Our team of Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists provide individualized treatment in an inclusive environment to promote independence in meaningful activities.
August 27-29
Kidney Health - The National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation is a major voluntary nonprofit health organization dedicated to preventing kidney disease, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease and increasing the availability of kidneys for transplantation. Learn more about the kidneys: Understanding kidney health, Risk factors & causes, Kidney health testing, Kidney Stones, and more.
You can learn more at www.kidney.org
Breast Health Resources - Breast Health Education Association
People in medically underserved communities are less likely to have recommended cancer screening tests and are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Breast Cancer Education Association (BCEA) is at the forefront of efforts to reduce mortality rates by increasing the number of breast cancer screenings.
BCEA, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota, Sage Screening Program of the Minnesota Department of Health, and Sisters Standing up to Breast Cancer, has developed an innovative approach to reducing health care disparities and improving outcomes in African American and immigrant African communities.
For more information, visit www.breastcancereducation.org, email info@breastcancereducation.org or call 651-487-3578.
August 30-September 1
Overdose Prevention - Maxx-imum Overdose Awareness and Steve Rummler HOPE Network
International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31. Two grassroots organizations join forces to reach out to fairgoers who have been impacted by overdoses. The shared goals and programs of both groups include Advocacy, Education, and Overdose Prevention.
The mission of the Steve Rummler HOPE Network is to heighten awareness of the opioid crisis, address its impact on the physical and emotional burdens of addiction and chronic pain, and improve the associated care processes. The network wants to educate the general public about the importance of naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and Steve’s law (Good Samaritan Law).
Learn more online at their website.
Maxx-imum Overdose Awareness is a nonprofit started to honor the memory of Maxx Zacho. Maxx became dependent on pain killers after an injury. He accidentally overdosed because of his addiction.
September 2-4
Sickle Cell Anemia Education - Sickle Cell Foundation of MN
Sickle Cell Foundation of MN (SCFMN) is a nonprofit community based patient advocacy organization providing patient support, education and awareness for Sickle Cell Disease, the most common genetic disorder in the US.
SCFMN provides fun facts, brochures and other supportive information for those who are impacted by this disease, who care for affected individuals or those who may desire more information about this disease. They also provide information on ways to connect with and get involved (i.e. volunteer, donate, sponsor, etc) with the Foundation.
Learn more online at their website or email SCFMN with your questions at info@sicklecellmn.org.
About Health Fair 11
Health Fair 11 at the Fair is a project of Health Fair 11, a nonprofit organization with a vision of creating healthier communities through collaborative outreach. Our mission is to provide health education and free or low-cost health screenings to the people in our community. Health Fair 11 operates with support from KARE 11 TV. Cub and Herself-Health are providing additional support for Health Fair 11 at the Fair.
Want to be an exhibitor in our building and/or become sponsor of our organization? Email healthfair@kare11.com or check out www.HealthFair11.org .
