by Brynna Williamson
Wood County, Texas community members gathered in September to take part in a really helpful idea: the Wood County Health Fair.
Free to all attendees, the Health Fair was planned by the Wood County Health Advisory Board, which features members from UT Health, the Quitman Chamber of Commerce, the Wood County Economic Development Commission, and many more local organizations.
The event was spread out across the Jim Hogg City Park in Quitman. The 200-plus attendees at the Health Fair wandered the grounds of the park, enjoying the picnic tables, getting some food from the sourced food trucks, speaking with vendors, or even watching live demonstrations.
“We’re enjoying it!” said Nathan Witt, who helps run the Mineola-based nonprofit Flint & Steel Coalition. Witt’s organization was present at the Health Fair to do a one-time skating demonstration at the park’s basketball court.
Who Was There?
Aside from interesting demonstrations, the organizers also pulled together contacts to bring 30 vendors to the event. While it was titled the “Wood County Health Fair,” organizations from many different walks—not just medical ones—were in attendance at the event. The Wood County Veterans Service Office in Quitman set up a booth, Promise of Peace set up a booth, the Wood County EDC set up a booth… you get the drift.
Of course, a large number of health-related booths made up the majority of the vendors at the Health Fair—everybody from local dentists to geriatric behavioral health services to HealthFIRST representatives, mental health resources, and more came to offer and inform the public about their programs.
It even attracted some attendees to hear that a huge, inflatable, walk-through colon was advertised to be there! The things you never expected to hear, huh?
Ask Not What You Can Do for The Health Fair
The real kicker for the event, however, were the free services that the Wood County Health Fair offered. According to the information posted by the Quitman, Texas Chamber of Commerce, the event offered many different types of health management screenings and resources, all of which were free.
Among these were a blood pressure check, a glucose / cholesterol screening, and “information on stroke prevention, lifestyle change programs, and more.”
“She did the alcohol, and then the cotton swab, and then just—boop!—done,” said attendee Eleora Williamson regarding her experience with the blood glucose and cholesterol screening. “It was nice—she was really nice. It was fast and interesting.”
Organizers say that the event is in its second year, and that it will continue to be held in the future.