OKEECHOBEE — The 16th Annual Okeechobee Family Health and Safety Expo will be a fun-filled, educational day for the entire family. “We will have safety displays, first responder vehicles, activities, entertainment, food, giveaways along with the famous Touch a Truck displays. We will also bring back  Knockerball which was a huge success last year,” said Chuck Akers.

Akers explained Knockerball is where a child climbs inside a giant ball and rolls around and into other balls. “It will be a lot of fun,” he said.

All the health and safety organizations from Okeechobee and surrounding areas will be there and will be offering helpful information and maybe even some goodies. Need a mammogram? They will be there. Want your blood pressure checked? They’ve got you covered.

Not only will the kids be enjoying knockerball, but they will also have the opportunity to touch a truck. Actually, they will be able to touch a lot of trucks. They will even have the opportunity to climb up inside and see what’s in that fire truck or dump truck or garbage truck.

They have a great line up planned including face painting, a live DJ, helicopter landing and tours, yoga and Zumba classes, live fire demonstrations, SWAT and much more. As visitors walk in, they will receive a ticket with a number on it. If you have a lucky ticket, you will win a prize.  Keep your eyes peeled as there may even be a clown or two walking around.

Vendor spots are available, and if you are interested in taking part, you can contact Chuck Akers at 772-260-9026, or  by email at okeechobeecountyvolunteerfd@gmail.com or call firefighter Donny Arnold at 863-634-6464.

The event takes place on Saturday, January 28 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Agri-Civic Center, and everything is completely free. There will be no charge for anything taking place during the expo. Okeechobee County Fire Rescue will even be serving lunch.

“We’re expecting somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 visitors this year,” Akers said. “Why not come out and be one of them?”