Camelot Park takes on Joe Camel this weekend when the north Modesto amusement park hosts its second annual Tobacco Awareness program. "It will be a fun way to learn the dangers of what for too many young people becomes a lifetime addiction," said Donna Phillips of the co-sponsoring Stanislaus County Health Services Agency.

Ride tokens, tickets to baseball and soccer games, T-shirts, movie posters and other prizes will be offered Sunday and Monday in exchange for packs of cigarettes, tins of smokeless tobacco products, lighters or clothing that features printed tobacco advertising.

Valley Sporting Goods and Roller King also are contributing prizes for the "treasures for trash" exchange.

KWNN will broadcast from the park Sunday, and players from the Modesto A's and Modesto Cruisers will be there both days.

Kid Care ID photo identification cards will be available for children 11 and younger from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Dr. Richard J. Heck and Team O2 will deliver their anti-smoking message in rap video.

Kids Work puppeteers will perform at 11 a.m. and noon Monday.

Contests and musical entertainment also are on the agenda.

Health educators will hand out anti-tobacco material and information on stop-smoking programs.

Admission to the park at Highway 99 and Pelandale Road will be free, but regular rates will be in effect for rides and games.

Reprinted by permission of Modesto Bee.