THATCHER — The Gila Valley Health and STEAM Festival returns this weekend, reuniting Eastern Arizona College and Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center.
“We’re back and better than ever. We have more community organizations joining us this year, we have more fun; we have quite a bit going on this year,” said MGRMC’s Shaylee Richards.
Things start Friday at Eastern Arizona College’s Discovery Park Campus. From 3-6 p.m., attendees will be able to participate in 22 different hands-on activities and exhibits, including a laser shoot, augmented sandbox, R/C cars and exploring the planetarium.
From 6-8 p.m., the Polaris shuttle ride will be open to the public, as well as the 20-inch Tinsley telescope and stargazing with the Desert Stargazers Astronomy Club. There will also be a hot air balloon glow courtesy of AZ Air Ventures.
Activity moves to EAC’s Thatcher Campus for Saturday. The day starts with the Go Gold Childhood Cancer Awareness Race, a one-mile fun run and 5k.
At 8 a.m. and running until 1 p.m., another two-dozen activities on campus begin, including electric and classic cars, rubber band catapults, chemistry demonstrations, robotics and more.
Inside the Hoopes Activity Center, MGRMC will conduct health screenings, blood draws and feature a vendor showcase.
The EAC art exhibit will also take place in the Hoopes Activity Center.
Both days of activities are free to the public.
Sponsors of the Gila Valley Health and STEAM Festival include: Eastern Arizona College, Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Eastern Arizona Science Initiative, Freeport-McMoRan, First Things First, Air Evac, LifeNet, Audiology Inc., Graham County Electric Co-op, CMI and Double R Communications.
