43rd Upshur County Health Expo set for Saturday, Feb. 28
By Phillip Williams
The 43rd Upshur County Health Expo will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28th, at the Yamboree Event Center at 181 Bob Glaze Drive in Gilmer.
The theme of this year’s expo is ” Putting you on a Highway to Health,” and this year, the committee is excited to also host a tractor, truck, and car show.
There is no cost to attend or receive any of the available screenings. The public is encouraged to walk through the “highway” of resources between 9 a.m. and12 Noon.
Aimed at all ages, the Health Expo is intended to educate citizens and connect them with health-related resources.
The Upshur County Health Coalition, led by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Service, is hosting the event.
Currently, the Expo’s sponsors are Concho Hearts Hospice, Kinetic PT in Gilmer, and Credit
Union of Texas’ Gilmer branch, who is providing a food truck with lunch for those who visit the inside booths.
Vision screenings will be provided by the Gilmer Lions Club, said County Extension Agent Julie York.
“More than 35 vendors will focus on health and wellness for all ages,” she said. “Vendors have told me this is one of the best Health Fairs they attend. And I’m very proud to host this event and provide Upshur County residents with so many valuable resources!”
Topics range “from prenatal to hospice care,” she said, “including pregnancy and
support for young mothers, drug and alcohol education, gun safety, mental health in teens, military veteran support, water conservation, nursing care options, and a variety of topics from governmental agencies supporting mental and physical health.”
Carter BloodCare of Tyler will hold a mobile blood drive, as well as hosting a booth inside for organizations to schedule blood drives of their own. Several Upshur
County emergency services will be present to let the public explore emergency
vehicles and offer safety education.
The public can also experience the Texas A&M Passenger Safety Program’s impaired driving simulator. This interactive, eye-opening activity allows participants to wear special goggles that simulate impairment while they attempt to safely operate a driving simulator.
The Texas Department of Transportation will offer free car seat safety inspections
outside. Parents will need to arrive with the child in the seat to be inspected.
Drawings will be held at each booth for free door prizes.
For more information, contact York at 903-680-8128 or Julie.york@ag.tamu.edu,
or contact vendor sponsor Amorette Burch at