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Happening once every decade, the U.S. Census is a monumental undertaking that requires the hard work of thousands of civil servants all across the country, and to help prepare and educate residents on the intricacies of the upcoming 2020 census in a fun environment, the city of San Ramon will be hosting its first “East West Fair” on Sunday afternoon.
Held in collaboration with the city and the Contra Costa County Census 2020 Committee, the fair is geared toward not only educating the public on the upcoming census, but celebrating its importance with a number of fun events.
“It’s time to start thinking about next year’s census! Not only does it affect the number of representatives we send to congress, and political redistricting (including our County Board of Supervisors), but the State and Federal revenue we bring into our County for services for our residents,” said Contra Costa County District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen.
According to the county’s 2020 Census Complete Count Steering Committee member and the fair’s organizer Aparna Madireddi, in addition to information on the upcoming census, the fair will have free performances for viewing and unique Bay Area vendors for all age groups such as tarot readers, psychic healers, “facial demos for all skin types” and more.
One of the event’s headliners will be the Bay Area’s Quantum Leap Dance Crew, which consists of students who aim to give back to society by partnering with the Radha Foundation.
“Come with your family and friends and learn more about what our communities have to offer. Information will also be available about U.S. Census jobs and how you can apply,” Madireddi said.
Madireddi also noted that one of the unique challenges of census gathering is reaching out to harder-to-count population groups such as immigrants. By creating a fun family-friendly event, and giving it an all-inclusive title such as the East West Fair, these groups may be more welcome and more easily educated about the process.
The “East West Fair” is following the county’s Census kickoff event that was held Tuesday at the Contra Costa & Solano Food Bank, and is one in a series of community events that will follow in other District 2 cities in the future.
“Census 2020 impacts every Contra Costa resident in how each of us is served and represented,” County Board Chair Supervisor John Gioia said in a statement. “That’s why the county and our Complete Count Steering Committee are launching a major public engagement effort to make sure everyone is counted. We want to ensure a complete and accurate count so that both California and Contra Costa County receive our fair share of government resources.”
The “East West Fair” will be heading to the Terrace Room in San Ramon Community Center, 12501 Alcosta Blvd., on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. For more information, or to participate in an event as a performer, residents are encouraged to contact Madireddi at 330-0533.
