Located at the Illini Union in rooms A, B and C, the event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is entirely free. More than 70 vendors will be available to consult with attendees on health-related issues. There will also be live entertainment and free food and refreshments.

The event is sponsored by Special Populations, a group within McKinley Health Center’s committee for student health concerns.

Special Populations Vice President Jamie Ishcomer, sophomore in AHS, says that even though the planning committee has been working since December on the health fair, it has taken 16 years to get it to this point.

“I’m so excited that it (the event) is finally here,” Ishcomer said. “Since it started, the health fair has improved every year, and I know this year will be no exception.”

Nallely Galván, Special Populations graduate assistant, stressed the event’s holistic approach.

“We want to help students become better health consumers, and the only way you can do this is by getting the information to them,” Galván said. “This event allows them to be more familiar with the resources available to them.”

Event participants can expect to see a wide variety of health care booths. Among the vendors, there will be area chiropractors, dentists and eye doctors. Vendors will be offering services such as free massages, manicures and health tests.

“Attendees can get free cholesterol screenings, spinal tests and blood pressure measures,” Ishcomer said. “This is valuable information and if used properly, students can really be in command of their health.”

Last year, more than 1,500 people had their cholesterol measured. Michael Krause, junior in LAS, plans to being one of those tested at the fair.

“While people our age may not take these tests too seriously, these services can be key in detecting problems early,” Krause said.

Little Wolf and the Wolf Pack, a Native American drum group, will be among those providing live entertainment.

“Part of Special Populations’ mission is to represent the health needs of all the cultural groups on campus,” Ishcomer said. “We work very closely with the cultural houses on campus and we wanted to include these cultural groups in the fair, so we asked this Native American group to participate.”

Other dance groups performing include 2XS Caliente, Hip-Notic and House Arrest II.

Special Populations will also be collecting non-perishable food items for the Crisis Nursery at the event.