River Rally/Safety Fair set for May 11

The Jefferson River Rally and Health and Safety Fair has a strong reputation for bringing together local residents of all ages.

The annual event Sponsored by the Jefferson Watershed Council, Jefferson Local Development Corporation/MSU Extension Office, and Golden Sunlight Mine is scheduled to take place Friday, May 11 on Division Street and at the Whitehall Community Center from 8 am. to 3 p.m.

According to Aubrey Boline of the JLDC, the 2018 event will include a wide range of informative booths that will include topics such as railroad safety, ATV safety, electrical safety, noxious weed identification, child car seat safety, brain injury information, firework safety, nutritional information, spider safety, wild mushroom safety, hearing information, disaster preparation and many other displays.

"There will even be a bear simulator to help discuss bear awareness," she said.

Boline added there are a large variety of vendors this year that will provide safety and wellness information, along with basic health screenings such as blood pressure checks.

The event is free of charge and open to the public.

When discussing the importance of the event, Boline said being part of such a supportive community as Whitehall is enough to make one swell with hometown pride.

"This is a great opportunity to meet our dedicated community responders with the fire department, search and rescue, and ambulance service. Folks will be able to talk with these dedicated volunteers who are our neighbors and friends that we rely on to assist us in times of need. Everyone will get a chance to view and ask questions about the vehicles and equipment they use to support our emergency needs. The Safety Fair and River Rally would not be possible without such an amazing community full of people willing to support it. Every single one of our vendors has worked so hard to make their content relevant and interesting to all ages, and it's truly heartwarming to see the dedication of each vendor to the town of Whitehall and all of Jefferson County," she said. "As we get outside to enjoy the warm weather and recreate, we should give ourselves a refresher on safety awareness. Whether we are riding our motorcycles, ATV's, going out on our boats, swimming, fishing near rising waters, hiking, biking, or whatever activity we choose, all of us can apply the Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine safety slogan: 'Every person going home safe and healthy every day'."