Visitors to this year’s Stanislaus County Fair will be able to take a walk through a giant human heart, play a game that tests their skill at performing surgery and learn about potentially life-saving hands-only CPR.

Doctors Medical Center and Emanuel Medical Center have joined together to provide a variety of healthcare-related activities at the fair, which runs from July 14-23. Many of the activities will be available only on a special night – Monday, July 17 – jointly sponsored by the two hospitals.

The Walk-Through Heart Exhibit, which is especially popular with children, will be on display all 10 days of the fair. This free, interactive exhibit is designed to educate visitors about the importance of heart health. It includes interactive questions about heart function and a heart-healthy lifestyle. The exhibit, which is wheel-chair and stroller accessible and air-conditioned, will be located adjacent to the giant corn dog concession, near the entrance to Kids Zone.

“This is a fun exhibit for children and families to explore but it also serves a very serious educational purpose,” said Warren Kirk, CEO of Doctors Medical Center and CEO of Tenet Healthcare’s Central Valley Market. “Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the United States, so raising public awareness of cardiovascular disease is critical. Doctors Medical and Emanuel Medical Center are pleased to be able to both entertain and educate our community at the fair.”

On Monday, July 17, at their sponsored booth located near the Baby Care Center, the two hospitals will offer the following activities:

• The game Giant Operation in which players use over-size tongs to carefully lift specified body parts through holes in an 8-foot-long board representation of a “patient.” Lights and buzzers are activated when the tongs touch the sides of the holes. The game will help participants decide whether they have the dexterity to be a surgeon!
• Instruction in “bystander” cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) – also known as hands-only CPR. This method, which is recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA), only requires the bystander to perform chest compressions on the patient and not breathe into the person’s lungs. The instruction will be provided in partnership with American Medical Response. Each person completing the training will receive a CPR kit from the AHA to take home and teach their family members and friends.

In addition, the first 1,000 fair guests through the gate on July 17 will receive a container of sun screen, compliments of Doctors Medical Center and Emanuel Medical Center. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Adult admission to the fair is $10 in advance of Opening Day and $12 at the gate.  Children ages 7-12 are $5.  Kids 6 and under are free. Senior Citizens ages 65 and older are $5. The grounds and buildings will be open Monday-Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 11 p.m.