While past years have seen scheduled stops in multiple San Joaquin County locations for the distribution of mosquitofish, this year will feature something a bit different.

“We’re trying something new here,” explained San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District General Manager Omar Khweiss. “Symbolizing our 21st year of our mosquitofish giveaway, we’re ‘all grown up’ now.”

Khweiss said as mosquitoes progress from eggs to larva to pupa to adult, so has the mosquitofish giveaway transformed for this year.

“For 20 years we’ve gone city to city,” he noted of the past years, where District officials would transport the mosquitofish to sites including Escalon, to provide them to residents.

They are distributed for free and are designed to help keep the mosquito population down, as a way to guard against West Nile virus.

This year, the one-day outdoor event will be hosted at the District headquarters, 7759 S. Airport Way, Stockton and is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 22.

Those attending will be asked to provide proof of residency in San Joaquin County in order to obtain the free mosquitofish; the amount provided will be based on what area they will be used in, whether it’s an ornamental pond, fountain, animal trough, etc.

Khweiss said the event is timed to correspond with National Mosquito Awareness Week and one of the goals of hosting a Saturday giveaway is to get more people to attend.

Distributions at sites around the county in the past have been done during the week; Khweiss said they also have activities planned so the Saturday event is geared toward the family. Kids can take part in a game station with a coloring contest, magnetic fishing and more. There will be four educational stations and those that visit all four can get into a drawing for a family four-pack of tickets and a free overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge in Manteca. There will also be free tacos and a drink for the first 200 people that complete the four education stations. Also scheduled is a live remote broadcast by KAT Country 103 radio station, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“On weekends, more people will have the opportunity to be engaged,” Khweiss pointed out, as well as having the chance to meet with District personnel and learn more about the mosquito control efforts. He said they continue to encourage residents to ‘Dump, Drain and Dispose’ of any standing water on their property, as that is where mosquitoes often breed.

For more information on the June 22 ‘Mosquito Mania’ event, visit the District website at sjmosquito.org