FAMILY HEALTH FEST FLASHES BACK.

Byline: Karen Thacker Community Columnist

The annual Family-A-Faire, whose twin focuses are honoring families and keeping them healthy, will take on a Renaissance aura this year.

Mock medieval fighting, dancing and music will highlight the fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Challenger Memorial Center at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 155 E. Ave. I. Admission is free.

``Every year we want to make it fun and different,'' said Tess Enriquez, marketing director for High Desert Medical Group, which sponsors the event. ``We though the Renaissance would be very unique and very interesting . . . and educational for the children.''

Shows will be put on periodically throughout the day by the Society for Creative Anachronism, whose members dress in medieval costumes.

The event will offer visitors health screenings such as blood pressure checks, body-fat analysis, blood glucose level tests, and vision and ear exams. Local chiropractors will give demonstrations.

For children, the fair will offer bounce tents, games and puppet shows, plus a Pokemon tournament at 1:30 p.m.

Mother-daughter and father-son look-alike contests will be judged at 1 p.m.

More than 60 vendors will man booths and prizes will be raffled for free.

The Society for Creative Anachronism will put on shows from 11 a.m. to noon, 1 to 2 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Antelope Valley Dance Studio, Extensions Performing Arts, Palmdale High School Ensemble, Antelope Valley Ballet and the High Desert Revolution jump rope team also will perform.

Prizes will be awarded in the ``Eating Healthy Foods'' coloring contest for children.

In past years, the event was held at Lancaster City Park, but visitors too often had to contend with wind or hot weather. This year, High Desert Medical Group officials opted for a setting where some of the activities could take place indoors.