Each year, community agencies and businesses join together to host the Healthy Family Fair: Prenatal 2 Preschool. This year the fair is being held on Saturday, February 28th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Marshalltown Mall in Marshalltown.

At the event, families enjoy a variety of interactive exhibits on health, safety, parenting, and early childhood education. A new attraction this year is Operation Safe Kids. This is an opportunity for parents to have their children fingerprinted and the information stored electronically. This is a project done by the Marshalltown Police Department in cooperation with United States Secret Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Besides providing information, the fair is an opportunity for families to enjoy a variety of activities. There will be a magic show, face painting, storytelling, and other entertainment. Dora the Explorer, Diego, and Elmo will be present and ready to meet the children. In addition, each child will receive a free book.

To add to the fun, area businesses have donated a large variety of door prizes.

Families are encouraged to attend this popular event and learn more about the services and agencies that will help keep their children healthy, safe, and learning.