Ester Vigil watched as her grandson Nathan stood at the Even Start booth waiting for an animal balloon Friday at the first "It's a Family Affair" community health fair in Farrell.

Even Start, a family literacy program, was part of the fair at Farrell Area School District's E.J. McCluskey Gymnasium. Even Start passed out balloons and provided crafts and storytelling for children.

More than 40 social service agencies, physicians, chiropractors and hospital staffers gathered in the gymnasium for the health fair, which was sponsored by Child Care Information Services of Mercer County. Among the agencies were Weed and Seed, Erase Anti-Drug Coalition, Prince of Peace, Habitat for Humanity, Sharon Regional Health System, Farrell Family Center, Shenango Valley Urban League, Diversified Family Services, Rural Metro Ambulance and Farrell Fire Department.

Ms. Vigil, of Wheatland, said she planned to attend after a co-worker told her about the health fair. Nathan, 6, asked if he could go with her.

"He's enjoying it a lot," she said. "I think the fair is very nice and informative."

Christal Graham-Jones, resource and referral coordinator for Child Care Information Services, said the group sponsored the event because it was needed in the community. Child Care Information Services, which provides resources, referrals and child care to community families with qualifying income levels, wanted to pass along other agency information.

"We're an agency that reaches various other agencies for our clients and community," Ms. Graham-Jones said. "We're trying to give the different agencies more visibility and get information to the people in the community. There's so much information out there that people don't know about."

She said she was pleased with the number of people who came to the health fair.

"I'm very pleased because this is our first affair and the clouds didn't keep the people away. We've had a constant flow of people throughout the day. I am really pleased. We're looking for next year to be even bigger," Ms. Graham-Jones said.

Entertainment was a large part of the health fair. Giveaways, drawings, games and health screenings were constant. Young community members from the TCCY-Bom mime team and the 724 Pa. stompers performed and entertained for fair-goers.

"It's the young people in the community coming together and doing positive things for the community. That's what we're trying to do," said Ms. Graham-Jones.

Child Care Information Services' regular hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays in the gymnasium.