Hays County Local Health Department to host Summer Health Fair

HAYS COUNTY — As an invitation for residents to take control of their health, the Hays County Local Health Department (HCLHD) is hosting the Summer Health Fair in Dripping Springs this weekend.

Several services will be available to the public at no cost from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 10 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. COVID-19 vaccinations, STI/HIV screenings, vision screenings and fingerprinting will be available courtesy of Hays Latinos United, Community Action of Central Texas, the Dripping Springs Lions Club and the Hays County Crime Stoppers, respectively.

“North Hays Fire Rescue and North Hays County EMS will also be there. They’ve got their fire truck and their ambulance, so that way kids and families can get a little more familiar with these vehicles and the services [they provide],” HCLHD Community Outreach Specialist Austin Baier said. “[It’s to] put a face to the service.”

In 2022, HCLHD was funded by a grant to address health disparities. One of the opportunities the grant provided the department was the ability to pay for venues. The department plans to host a health fair twice a year while cycling through the main cities of the county: Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs, Wimberley and San Marcos.

Local Health Department Manager Matthew Gonzales said that one of the reasons the department decided to host the next fair in Dripping Springs is to bridge the gap and ensure residents in that area are served.

“I really encourage families to go out there … It’s a good opportunity to learn about the different providers who are out there so that way they can feel more comfortable with pursuing health services,” he said.

The event will also include family-friendly activities, games and crafts.

There will be incentives for individuals to come to the fair, such as gift cards to a variety of local businesses.

Following the Summer Health Fair in Dripping Springs, the local health department will be hosting a back-to-school fair on Aug. 5 at the department’s new building at 101 Thermon Drive in San Marcos.

“[The Summer Health Fair] is primarily health-centric. There'll be a few individuals and organizations that are a little bit outside of health, more so with housing,” Gonzales said.

“But the back-to-school fair will primarily be focused on immunizations and it will also be focused on back-to-school resources and services, meaning just all-year-round services that families may need help with.”

To stay up-to-date on the HCLHD, visit www.hayscountytx.com/departments/local-health-department or follow the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HaysCountyLocalHealthDepartment.