Health Fair Unites With Port Chester Fest (VIDEO)

The 5th Annual Port Chester Fest united the diverse community through art, music and family activities. For the first time, Port Chester Fest was combined with the , which offers free health screening, including blood pressure, BMI, HIV, vision, podiatry, etc. 

Because the fest combined with the health fair, the largest change for this year’s event was the location.

“It was a big change of location. The Port Chester fest has been on the Marina Parking Lot for the past four years so that was the biggest change, coming down here and securing the space that we needed, the streets, the lot space and just making sure that everyone knew where it was and that it was the same event,” said  of the .

This year’s fest was located on Purdy Avenue between Church Street and Don Bosco Place. The fest provided residents with valuable information from more than 25 community resources. Health organizations gave expert information on bicycle safety, skin care, back pains and much more. This event also promotes physical activities to keep the community active, children’s activities, and a popular teddy bear clinic.

“I think it worked well (adding the health fair). Usually Port Chester Fest starts at noon and builds slowly but since a lot of people were here for the health fair, they just stepped right over to the fest and vice versa.  A lot of people showed up early for the fest and got to check out the health fair, get free screenings and (pick up) a lot of educational material,” said Lipka. “It was a good opportunity for a lot of the service providers to reach more people.” 

“It is so important to provide services to people who may not know where to go,” said Congresswoman Nita Lowey. “Many have children and without these services they would be growing up with undetected illnesses.”

In recognition of National Community Health Center Week,  honored Congresswoman Nita Lowey during the Port Chester Fest.

“The combination of Open Door and Congresswoman Lowey, I’m not being political, but it’s been very powerful,” said Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pila. “With Congresswoman Lowey representing this area and as Open Door has been innovative with programs, Nita has been able to get funding to launch these programs that have been very successful.”

“I am so thrilled to attend any ceremony that honors Open Door. I’ve been working with Open Door for over 20 years,” said Lowey. “I’m proud of Open Door and proud to be their partner.”

Open Door Board members Walter Edge and Donna Wade, NY State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, NY State Legislator George Latimer and Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pila recognized Lowey for her ongoing support of community health centers across the country as well as her support of the health and well-being of the Port Chester community that Open Door serves.

Port Chester Fest is sponored by the , the Helen Andrus Benedict Foundation, , NYS Council of the Arts, the , Saving our Society, , the and .

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