The ninth annual No Child Without Health Care Fair is 9:15 a.m. Saturday, July 25 at Crestview High School, 1250 Ferdon Blvd. N.
The event is for children up to 18 years old, with health screenings starting at 10 a.m. and lunch served at noon. Doctors start seeing the last patients — who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian — at 2 p.m. and finish everything by 4 p.m.
Here's what else you should know about the fair.
1. Freemasons started it. The fair began at the request of Masons concerned about "…children that were not getting proper Medicare because of insurance," said Malcolm Haynes, 3rd Masonic District deputy grand master.
Northwest Florida's3rd Masonic District —all organizations that operate under the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge — provides resources and labor for the fair.
Okaloosa through Washington counties' branches include the Order of the Eastern Star, the Holy Royal Arch Masons; Royal and Select Masters; Knights Templar; The Ladies of the Circle of Perfection; the Templar Crusaders; and the Knights of Pythagoras, a youth organization.
Mount Zion AME church; the Kiwanis Club of Crestview; Dr. Joseph Peter of Crestview Pediatrics; and Dr. Michael Neuland of the Allergy Partners clinic also will help.
2. Expect plenty of education and assistance. Affordable Health Care Act representatives will help people who have not signed up for health insurance: pediatricians, allergists and dental technicians will be on site; Area Health Education Committee members will share information on quitting smoking and tobacco screenings; and Crestview police officers will provide fingerprinting, bicycle helmet giveaways and car seat safety checks.
In addition, a blood mobile and children's games will be onsite.
3. You'll get a lot of freebies. The fair offers free physicals, health and dental screenings, and even free lunch at noon, with a goal of reaching as many needy people as possible.
Just offering the opportunity on a Saturday can help people who don't get the chance to get checkups during the work week.
"There are still a lot of people that cannot get to see their doctors," Haynes said. "They can come here and get their physical."
4. Very little paperwork is involved. All that attendees need to fill in is a doctor's visit form about them, their family history, and whether they have had shots or injuries.
Those getting free school or sports physicals will receive certification under the seal of a doctor's signature.
5. Vendor funds and donations support more medical visits
Donations and funds that vendors pay for a medical fair booth also will benefit attendees, Haynes said.
"For people who need to see a doctor (after the fair), the money will go to their visit," he said.
Remaining monies will go toward medications for Peter's annual medical mission to Belize.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 things you should know about the Crestview No Child Without Health Care Fair