COMMUNITY News:
Española: The Rio Arriba Community Health Council and Sancre Productions, producers of A New Normal .Life Campaign, announce the return of three-time Grammy award winning band Ozomatli, to headline HealthFest 2019 Saturday, July 6 at Valdez Park in Española.
HealthFest 2019 with its theme of Unity is hosted by the City of Espanola and major supporters of the event include Rio Arriba County’s Health & Human Services Department, Hoy Recovery Program, The Rio Arriba Community Health Council, Con Alma Health Foundation and Sancre Productions.
This year’s celebration will include a free Health Fair starting at 10 a.m., and at noon the Lowrider Car Show and free OzoKIDZ show begin. Dance performances begin at 1 p.m. by Moving Arts Espanola, the Ehecatl Aztec dancers, and local band opening acts by Noe y Sus Santos, Grupo Divino and Nosotros.
Headliner Ozomatli performs at 6 p.m.
HealthFest 2019 is Northern New Mexico’s largest community celebration working to connect community members with healthcare resources locally available and building a community united to support recovery.
A New Normal .Life Campaign offers:
- The largest online directory of recovery treatment providers and services in northern New Mexico;
- A Facebook page that shares resources, news articles and stories about recovery, hope and treatment best practices;
- Thought provoking videos about grandparents raising grandchildren, pregnant and postpartum mothers, and life-saving intra-nasal naloxone; and
- Crisis hotlines with certified behavioral health specialists from New Mexico Crisis and Access Line (NMCAL).
Valdez Park has significant symbolism as a place where community members created Vanessa’s Hideaway in memoriam to Vanessa Valerio, 9, who was shot and killed in 1993. Tewa Women United also created an Oasis Garden, converting a flooded parking lot into a community garden in collaboration with local Espanola community groups in 2016. The park was named after Filiberto Valdez, a Valley native and Vietnam War serviceman who received the Navy Cross for extraordinary acts of heroism.
“We are producing a family friendly, drug-free and alcohol –free event to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday weekend and are honored that Ozomatli has chosen to return to our event to celebrate such an important cause,” Sancre Productions Producer Monica Griego said.
The event also will feature a Change Maker Award Ceremony, recognizing the community’s unsung hero’s who are dedicating their lives to improving the health and wellness of northern New Mexicans. Locally elected officials and government representatives have been invited to participate in the event.
For more information, visit: www.anewnormal.life or Facebook: @ANewNormalNewMexico.
