Thousands of youth and adults alike are expected to take part in the 22nd Annual Walk Against Drugs and 3rd Annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo on Saturday, Oct. 23.
Walk Against Drugs, which is a partnership with the City of Mission Viejo, the Sheriff’s Department and local school districts, has long played a leading role in bringing local businesses, schools, parents and students together with law enforcement to fight against drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse.
The event, which highlights National Red Ribbon Week, begins at 8 a.m. with a rally at Mission Viejo High School Stadium, 25025 Chrisanta Drive. Participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the rally for South County Outreach Food Bank in exchange for a free T-shirt.
Sarah Lonsert, 17, will be the event’s keynote speaker. The talented teen, who has worked to overcome autism, was named “Singer/Songwriter” of the 2009 L.A. Music Awards and is a recent grand prize winner in the USA Song writing Competition. Mission Viejo’s Got Talent Winner PKSA Elite Demo Team will perform their winning routine to invigorate the masses.
The crowd, all wearing red, will then walk down La Paz Road, through the Oso Creek Trail. The one-mile walk will be immediately followed by a community fair and Emergency Preparedness Expo at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.
The fair along the Village Green will feature music, food, game booths, crafts, inflatables along with Orange County Sheriff’s Department displays. Visitors to the fair will also enjoy a performance by Sarah Lonsert and karate routines by PKSA. Visitors will also have the chance to meet Olympian swimmer Chloe Sutton.
The Expo, led by Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates, will feature emergency preparedness booths with informative, interactive displays to educate residents how to adequately prepare for a large-scale disaster and showcase the resources available during disaster responses.
A free shuttle bus at Newhart Middle School, 25001 Veterans Way, will take visitors to and from Mission Viejo High School. The shuttle runs from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m.
For more information, visit the City’s Web site at www.cityofmissionviejo.org.
Where can I find information for exhibitors about the expo?