Opportunities for free blood pressure and blood glucose checks plus an array of health-related information will be among the events and programs featured at the Nov. 5 Youth Powwow and Health Fair held in the Scott Brooks Gym at Lathrop Community Center from 1 to 7 p.m.

Traditional powwow dancing such as hoop dance and raven dance, Native American food including fried Indian taco, plus other popular American food fare such as nachos and hot dogs with a twist – they are wrapped in bread dough and then fried – are among the other attractions that will be available to all visitors both young and old.

Admission is free; however, all the food and drinks will be on sale with proceeds to benefit the programs of the Youth Powwow, an organization affiliated with the Native Directions Three Rivers Indian Lodge in Manteca.

Different organizations and government agencies such as TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – which offers a combination of financial assistance programs such as food stamps and work opportunities, and information about weight loss and eating disorders will be available at the fair.

Admission to the event is free.

There will be Native American dancing as well, “mostly targeted for the youth who will be dancing in full regalia” but will be open for adult dancers as well, will be part of the entertainment, said John Pryor of the Three Rivers Lodge at North Union Road.

Any interest adult dancer “can show up and dance; they just have to follow what the emcee says,” Pryor said.

“It’s a pretty well attended event because it’s for the youth, and they give out new toys and stuff for the youth,” he said of the powwow and health fair which has been held several times in previous years at the same location.

Money raised from the food sales at the event will “help pay for events that come up at the lodge for the treatment of the guys at the lodge,” Pryor added.

He said the Lathrop Community Center was selected as the venue for this event because the location is centralized for the people that they intend to reach. It is also held in conjunction with the Lathrop Youth Advisory Commission whose members also help in staging this event. Pryor said the community center also has all the facilities for food and lighting that they need for the fair.

The powwow and health fair is just of several projects that the Three Rivers Lodge Youth Powwow supports each. They also are actively involved in the annual Fourth of July Powwow in July, and the Native Traditional Meal project held in March.

The Lathrop Community Center is located at 15575 Fifth Street in Lathrop, just a block north of Lathrop Elementary School. For more information about the Youth Powwow and Health Fair, call the Three Rivers Lodge in Manteca at (209) 858-2421.