Pacoima : Clean and Sober Fest Mixes Fun and Health

By the time the kids in Pacoima and their families figure it out, it will be too late, Abel Sedillo said.

“They don’t know that it’s really a learning experience until they have fun first,” said Sedillo, community relations coordinator for the Northeast Valley Health Corp., sponsor of today’s Clean and Sober Festival in Pacoima.

Nearly 50 youth-oriented agencies will run game booths for children at the fifth annual festival, to be held at the David M. Gonzales Pacoima Recreational Center on Herrick Avenue. The booths also have a message: Avoid alcohol, drugs and tobacco.

Several local schools have also organized anti-drug skits and contests, which bring the second part of the festival’s strategy into play, Sedillo said.

“The parents come to see their children, but then they learn about the different services available,” Sedillo said.

Choirs, rappers, Polynesian dancers plus karate and judo demonstrations will help maintain the fun atmosphere even though the agencies have a serious motive in mind.

“We know that the word is getting out,” Sedillo said. “But people are still using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Sometimes, people aren’t aware that tobacco is a drug.”

Last year’s festival drew about 2,500 people; Sedillo expects as many as 3,000 this year. As they draw more attention, organizers said they hope to broaden their goals to include promoting a healthy lifestyle.

They also hope to include more groups from all over the Valley in the coming years, Sedillo said.

The free festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call Sedillo at (818) 898-1388, Ext. 127.