A back-to-school health fair featuring a one-mile fun run, immunizations, sports physicals, well child screenings, activities and health education will be held Aug. 5, 3:30-6:30 p.m., at St. Peter's Hospital.

"Ready! Set! Go! Be Healthy for the School Year," is sponsored by St. Peter's and New West Health Services, Capitol Classic.

The free Capitol Classic fun run from the Capitol to the hospital was added to the event this year to help youth become aware of the importance of fitness. The run is open to all students ages 6 to 14. Carroll College football coach Mike VanDiest and Carroll athletes will participate. It starts at 3:30 p.m. at the corner of Montana Avenue and Broadway.

Those planning to participate in the run should register by July 28 at www.stpetes.org by calling 444-2130.

Also at the fair, physicians will provide free sports physicals to student athletes, and the Lewis & Clark County Health Department will offer immunizations through the Vaccines for Children program. They are available for children who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured, underinsured (insurance that does not pay for children's immunizations), or American Indian. Shots are $14 for one, $28 for two or $38 for three. Also, immunization records will be required and payment will be by cash, check or Medicaid card.

Free well child screenings will be offered including height and weight measurements, hearing and vision screenings, blood pressure monitoring, body mass index measurements, flexibility testing, and car seat checks. There will also be appearances by Vince & Larry Crash Dummies, Buckles the Kangaroo, Smokey the Bear and the inflatable cigarette.

The first 300 youths with free backpacks and there will also be healthy refreshments. At 5 p.m., there will be a school fashion show and at 6 p.m. the hospital chef will present a brain food nutrition demonstration.

Those attending the health fair should enter through the Hospital's East Entrance behind the Maria Dean Medical Office Building. Activities will be held in the parking lot, Public Concourse, Rehabilitation Department, Education Center, 123 Conference Rooms, and former Maria Dean Imaging Center.