Union County Safety fair teaches over 1,100 students lifesaving lessons
By Tracy Christopher on Thursday, April 17th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE — Over 1,000 students in grades K–3 from across Union County gathered this week for the annual Union County Safety Fair, a hands-on educational event focused on empowering children with essential safety knowledge in a fun and memorable way.
Held at the Blue Mountain Conference Center, the event was made possible through the collaboration of many community partners, including the Oregon State Police, Union County District Attorney’s Office, Union County Safe Communities Coalition, Mountain Works Bike Shop, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC), Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), NEON, EOU Athletics, Union County CARE, Elkhorn Media Group, OHSU School of Nursing, Oregon Department of Human Services, Union County Search and Rescue, CHD Public Health, Union County 4H, and the La Grande Police Department.
Students rotated through six engaging safety stations: Stranger Danger & Dog Safety – Presented by Oregon State Police and Union County District Attorney’s Office, this station taught students how to respond safely to unfamiliar people and introduced students to Blossom, Union County’s Victim Support Dog.
Medicine Safety – Led by the Union County Safe Communities Coalition, kids learned the importance of only taking medicine from trusted adults and the dangers of household medications.
Safe Streets – Mountain Works Bike Shop provided pedestrian and bike safety tips along with equipment information to keep young riders safe on the roads and trails.
Lost in the Woods – Outdoor Safety – Union County Search and Rescue offered guidance on what to do if you become lost outdoors, using real-life scenarios and demonstrations.
Seatbelt Safety – The Union County Sheriff’s Office walked students through proper seatbelt use and vehicle safety in age-appropriate ways.
Electric Safety – OTEC’s interactive display educated students on the risks of electricity and how to stay safe around power lines and electrical equipment.
“It’s not just about learning—it’s about giving these kids tools they can use in real-life situations. The community support makes all the difference.” Billie Jo Nickens, Traffic Safety Coordinator from Oregon Department of Transportation stated. She also mentioned that this would be the last year, after a 22-year run of the Union County Safety Fair.
A heartfelt thank you to all the past and present agencies and volunteers of the Union County Safety Fair for their years of dedication to early safety education and community well-being.
