YMCA Hosting Free Health Fair

If you're looking for a free, family-friendly event this weekend, the Bob Sierra YMCA is hosting its third annual health fair.

The fair will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the YMCA's location at 4029 Northdale Boulevard.

The purpose of the fair is to allow the public to come out and meet vendors - 14 have signed up so far - in the Carrollwood and Northdale areas, who will offer: running analysis, complimentary massages, optical exams and flexibility testing.

The fair is the YMCA's opportunity to "strengthen the community through youth development, health living and social responsibility," said Phillip Newman, wellness director at the YMCA.

Newman said the fair will allow the community to be "more health conscious and aware of possibilities of ailments they have, and what is causing them, instead of doing self-diagnosis."

Rebecca Bray, spokeswoman for the YMCA, said the YMCA aims to end epidemics such as childhood obesity through events like the health fair.

"I think the Y is here to support the community, and that includes providing tips, but also being basically a family and support network where people can feel comfortable and talk about challenges - but also celebrate successes," she said. "That's what we are in the community to help with."

For more information about the health fair, call 813-962-3220.