St. Vincent’s One Nineteen to host 10th annual Block Party

Getting a cholesterol check doesn’t sound like much fun, but at the St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Block Party and Health Festival, fun and health are the focus of the 10th annual event.

On June 18 from 5 to 8 p.m., the community can take part in family-friendly fun, and at the same time, get the benefits of health screenings. This year’s fun will include everything from tethered hot-air balloon rides to face painting and a rock climbing wall, said Lauren Nichols, marketing and communications integration manager at One Nineteen.

Food trucks and the game truck will also be on site, as well as various community vendors and a 70-foot inflatable obstacle course. Act of Congress will headline the event, who Nichols said is back by popular demand. 

Because busy lives can sometimes get in the way of staying healthy, the Block Party will be an opportunity to take the kids out to have some fun and at the same time check one’s health, she said.

“Parents are busy and don’t always have time to get their cholesterol checked,” Nichols said. “Taking advantage of the screenings at the Block Party could in some cases be lifesaving.”

Health screenings at the event include cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, hearing and vision, as well as physical therapy consultations, Nichols said. The free screenings will be performed by St. Vincent’s Wellness Services and St. Vincent’s physicians. The Alabama Vision Center will perform vision and hearing screenings. Attendees also will be able to tour the facility’s new surgery center operating rooms and take a peek at the urgent care. 

The Block Party has morphed completely over the years, Nichols said. What once started as a small health screening-only event has now become a fun, “almost festival-like” atmosphere. Still, she said the screenings are “at the heart” of the event. 

Nichols said the St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Block Party is now something families from all over mark on their calendars. 

The event is free and open to the community. Hot-air balloon rides, as well as food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Visit onenineteen.com for more information.