Following the path to a healthier life

Annual health fair attracts hundreds

Hundreds of people escaped the drizzle and cold by attending the fifth annual Olympic Peninsula Health Fair Saturday.

The parking lot was packed and a free shuttle service, donated by Rocket Transportation, hauled visitors back and forth between the fair at Sequim High School and the Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, down the road.

More than 120 vendors showcased information about commercial medical goods and services and offered at least 25 free screenings. Young and old, people waited in line to have their blood pressure, oxygen saturation, hearing, vision, bone density and "health age" tested, as well as other examinations.

The high school gymnasium, auxiliary gym and cafeteria each buzzed with activity from the time the doors opened at 10 a.m. until they closed at 3 p.m. Some guests made a day out of it and grabbed lunch from the food court, manned by volunteers from the Boys & Girls Club’s Carroll C. Kendall unit.

In the parking lot, the Sequim Police Department conducted child car seat inspections, checking the safety and proper installation of children’s car seats, and passed out fingerprinting kits to parents for child identification.

Promoting a "green" community, free reusable totes were handed out as guests entered the gymnasium. The popular environmentally friendly totes were gone within two hours.

A board of volunteers works throughout the year to plan the Olympic Peninsula Health Fair and peninsula businesses sponsor the event.