Festival to Promote Drug-Free Lifestyle

The sixth annual Clean and Sober Festival, which promotes a drug-free lifestyle for children and their parents, will be held this Saturday at David Gonzalez Park in Pacoima.

The festival is sponsored by the Northeast Valley Health Corp. (NVHC), which operates three health clinics in the San Fernando Valley and one in Valencia.

More than 40 community agencies and service providers will participate, organizers said.

The festival will mark the beginning of Red Ribbon Week, a national effort to educate children about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse. The effort was established in honor of Federal Drug Enforcement Agency Officer Enrique Camarena, who was killed in the line of duty in 1985.

“The festival has been growing every year,” said Abel Sedillo Jr. of NVHC, chairman of the event. “Last year we had about 3,000 people and we expect at least that many this year.

“This is an opportunity to let kids know that there are alternatives to a lifestyle that includes drugs and alcohol,” Sedillo said.

More than 200 area students will compete for prizes in music, dance and theatrical presentations. The performances will highlight the festival’s anti-drug theme.

In addition to the live performances, the festival will include food, games and information booths staffed by representatives of Valley service organizations.

Participating organizations include New Directions For Youth, M.E.N.D., San Fernando Valley Partnership, El Proyecto del Barrio and several parent and health organizations.

The festival will be held Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the recreation center at David Gonzalez Park, 10943 Herrick Ave., in Pacoima. Admission is free.