VAN NUYS, CA — On Sunday, May 22, 2001, the 16th annual Sober Day LA event and Walk-A-Thon will take place in conjunction with the seventh annual Van Nuys/ Panorama City Spring Parade and Festival. Sober Day LA is an outreach program with a mission to create awareness about the issues of substance abuse and violence in our communities.
Sober Link, a non profit organization which sponsors walkers from different recovery homes and programs is the host organization, producing the event. Some participants receive credit for the hours and some just do it for support and a service to the community. The community also participates to support the program. Sober Day LA is now accepting applications for entries for the May 22 Panorama City – Van Nuys Spring Parade.
To participate, visit www.soberdayla.com and download an application form. The Walk-A-Thon will begin at 9:00 am and follows a route from Panorama Mall, south on Van Nuys Blvd to the Van Nuys Civic Center. Participants in the parade line up at Van Nuys Park, 14301 Vanowen, at 10:00 am; the parade is set to start at 11:00am, traveling south on the Blvd. until its reaches the Van Nuys Civic Center.
The Festival will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 22 on the steps of City Hall at 6262 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys. This year, Sober Link are dressing up the steps of City Hall (at the back of building) with the assistance of Teatro de Las Artes-Creative Director Alfie Martin, who is volunteering his talent and time to help coordinate the stage performances. The Rental Company PRG Production Resources is donating the sound system and lighting gear.
Sober Link is hosting the event through the leadership and direction of Rachel Cosmic, to raise awareness and help raise moneys for New Era relief Sober Link Educational Programs, for prevention of substance abuse, health and violence. There will be a Health and Family Fair with exhibits, booths, community information and live music until 4:00 pm. The main stage will host dancers, musicians, and singers from around the world as part of a cultural celebration.
Come see and enjoy an array of music styles including folklorico, hip hop, classic rock and roll, belly and tango dancers. It promises to be a music show you will never forget!
The festival will be free to the Public. Sponsors for this event include the Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; City of Los Angeles Councilman Paul Krekorian, 2nd District; City of Los Angeles Councilman Tony Cardenas, 6th District; City of Los Angeles Councilman, Richard Alarcon, 7th District; Congressman Howard Berman; Senator Alex Padilla, 20th District; Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes, 39th District; and LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, 3rd District.
For more information or registration call Sober Link, Inc. (818) 623-0945 or visit www.soberdayla.com.