County to host health fair

The Hays County Local Health Department will combine Halloweenthemed activities with proactive health strategies this October for its Fall Community Health Fair on Saturday, Oct. 22.

The fair is one of several planned events and opportunities to help build a stronger community through good health.

“Our overall campaign at the health department is: ‘Your health in your hands,’” said Matthew Gonzales, the county’s health equity and community engagement program manager. “How we eat, how we exercise and how we deal with stress are all related to our health.”

This year’s fair will feature a diabetes screening, blood pressure checks, sign ups for future cancer screenings, nutrition and fitness information, STD testing and free flu and COVID vaccines.

“We will also have a children’s Halloween costume contest along with games and face painting,” said Brittany Myers with the HCLHD. “The little ones will enjoy a bounce house and trick or treating at each vendor table.”

Vendors include Pink Bus (Pink Heels), Humana, St David’s, CommuniCare, Community Action and the Lions Club.

Getting regular checkups, preventative health screenings and routine tests are all part of good health, according to Gonzalez, who added that the HCLHD provides a variety of services all year long.

“Our primary mission is to improve the quality of life for Hays County citizens and empower them to take charge of their health,” he said. “Our emphasis is on underinsured, uninsured and underrepresented groups in Hays County.”

The Hays County Community Health Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 979 Kohlers Crossing in Kyle.

For more information, visit hayscountytx.com/ fall-community-healthfair.