The V.I. Health Department will stage its 11th annual Diabetes Awareness Fair - featuring nutritional counseling and free health screenings - beginning Saturday on St. Croix.

The Diabetes Awareness Fair is scheduled to move to St. Thomas-St. John during the Agricultural and Food Fair on Dec. 5.

"We urge residents to come out and take advantage of free health screenings," Health Commissioner Julia Sheen said in a prepared statement the department released. "As is customary, individuals who have not had their seasonal flu shots will also be able to do so during the diabetes fair."

The fair is open to all.

In addition to seasonal flu shots and nutritional counseling, the following health screenings will be available:

- Blood pressure

- Blood sugar

- Cholesterol

- Eye exams

- Foot exams

Sheen said that the Health Department will partner on Saturday with the St. Croix Lion's Club, Frederiksted Twin City Lions Club and People United for a Better Virgin Islands Inc. to offer the free health screenings.

The Diabetes Awareness Fair is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday near Wendy's Restaurant at the Sunny Isle Shopping Center on St. Croix.

In December, Health will partner for the St. Thomas Diabetes Awareness Fair with the Agriculture and Food Fair to make the free health services convenient for those who attend on Dec. 5.