Walk Against Drugs & South County Disaster Preparedness Expo Saturday, Oct. 21

The countdown is underway until the 29th annual Walk Against Drugs takes step in Mission Viejo on Saturday, October 21.

More than 4,000 people are expected to participate in the event that begins with an 8 a.m. rally at Mission Viejo High School and ends with a fair along the Village Green.

The longtime event, a highlight of the National Red Ribbon Week, serves to bring together City leaders, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, schools, businesses, community groups and residents to celebrate living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

Orange County Undersheriff Don Barnes will kick off the rally by introducing keynote speaker Josh Stevens.
 
From the high school, participants sporting red T-shirts will walk along eastbound La Paz Road to the Oso Creek Trail and fair at the Village Green near the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way. The fair will feature 1,500 free hot dogs – which the Rotary Club will toss to the crowd – entertainment, activity booths hosted by nonprofit groups and fundraising by local schools.

Held along with the fair, the 10th annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo will include displays by the Sheriff’s Department, Fire Authority and other first-responder agencies educating the public on how to prepare for and respond to an emergency or disaster. The event runs to noon.

Free shuttles will offer round-trip service from Newhart Middle School to Mission High School. The service will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.