The Latah County Health and Wellness Fair, designed to help community members of all ages live healthier lives by focusing on mental, physical and financial health, will take place Thursday.

Jenny Ford, executive director of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce, said this year’s theme is “love yourself, love your life.”

The fair offers community members a chance to connect with local resources they didn’t realize were at their disposal, Ford said.

“I want to make sure that all of the experiences they have here are positive,” she said, “and that they’re educated and knowledgeable.”

Mark Brigham, City of Moscow Human Resources director, said there will be 57 separate stations vended in part by local business and university organizations open to the public during the fair.

People can participate in services and activities at the festival throughout the day, like giving blood to a local blood bank from noon to 3 p.m., Brigham said.

The event is free, including food and drinks, winnable prizes and a variety of activities offered by the individual stations. Among the prizes are leg weights, gift cards, basketballs, footballs and a bicycle donated by Paradise Creek Bicycles, Brigham said.

Community business participation in the event has grown steadily since it was conceived several years ago by Latah County, Brigham said.

The hope is to encourage people in the community to be active by providing them with the necessary resources and equipment, he said.

The Latah County Wellness Fair is dedicated to ensuring the event is fun, educational and enjoyable to people of all ages and walks of life, Brigham said.

“We want to make sure that they stay as healthy as possible,” he said, “so they live long lives and happy lives.”

The fair happens every other year to make it more special and therefore ensure a large turnout, Brigham said. The process is extensive and takes a lot of time and work, he added.

The Moscow Chamber of Commerce, the City of Moscow, AARP Idaho and Latah County are hosting the festival this year, according to its event page on Facebook.

“The thing I’m looking forward to the most is just being a part of it,” Ford said.

The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Latah County Fairgrounds.