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Keeping The Community Healthy
0731 Bike 2
Six-year-old Leah Sandoval was focusing all her attention on the bicycle course and listening very closely to the instructions issued by Deputy Gary Vernon during the safety fair at the Riverbank Farmers Market. VIRGINIA STILL/The News

The Riverbank Children’s Health and Safety Fair in conjunction with the Farmers Market held at the parking lot of Cool Hand Luke’s on Saturday offered a variety of activities for families.

New to the fair this year was a Youth Triathlon that consisted of swimming, biking, and running. The registered youngsters met at the Riverbank Community Pool at 8 a.m. on July 27. This event was sponsored by Get Fit Riverbank, Oak Valley Hospital, The YMCA, University of California, Four H, Health Plan of San Joaquin, Riverbank Community Gardens, and Golden Valley Centers. There were nearly a dozen youngsters that participated in the triathlon.

The Riverbank Police Services of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department had set up a bike course for youngsters to participate in and provided them with free helmets.

The helmets were provided through private donations and the California Office of Transportation.

Once a youngster completed the bicycle course, they were issued a bike license and were given an entry into a raffle for a new bicycle.

Deputies and staff were on hand to help teach bicycle safety and walk some bicyclists through the course, making sure they made a complete stop and looked both ways before proceeding.

They were also issuing free bicycle licenses for any unregistered bicycle within Riverbank city limits.

The bicycle license is like a car registration. If a licensed bike is lost or stolen the serial numbers can be matched to the owner when found or recovered.

Stanislaus Consolidated Fire brought out a fire truck and was available to help with bicycle safety. They also participated in the excitement of a piñata with the youth that attended.

Riverbank Librarian, Vicky Holt-Angulo, brought a few books to share with the children.

The farmer’s market was also in full swing with vendors offering fresh and local produce.

The closing of the “Get Fit” program was celebrated at the Saturday event as well.

The Riverbank Lions Club parked their mobile screening unit on the premises so that they could give free health, vision, and audio screenings to anyone that wanted to step in.

“The screenings are very beneficial,” said Vice Mayor Jeannine Tucker.