High Springs health fair draws low turnout

Clear skies and only a moderate chill in the air welcomed a crowd of vendors and services for Saturday’s health fair.

According to Heidi Hofer, of the CHOICES program that sponsored the event, not many residents showed up. It was the first time the program put on a health fair in High Springs, but Hofer said she’s not sure why there wasn’t a better turnout.

“Only a handful of people came through.”

The event included free access to health care information and testing, $25 flu shots, a demonstration by the High Springs Police Department’s K-9 unit, and Santa was there for family photos.

High Springs Mayor Larry Travis agreed the turnout was disappointing, but the people who did come were enthusiastic and offered ideas about how to make it better next year, he said.

Travis guessed the poor turnout might have been, in part, due to people being busy with holiday events and preparations. He is confident that the health fair will continue to grow in High Springs, and for the first time, “It was pretty good.”