TEXARKANA -- The inaugural Health on the Line health and wellness fair was held Friday in downtown Texarkana near the federal building.
Mayor Allen Brown of Texarkana, Arkansas, was in attendance to speak on the area's health resources.
"It is really good for the city anytime that we can partner with any organization about wellness in the community," Brown said. "I feel like everyone understands that a healthier community is a more vibrant community, so anything we can do to help promote health is something we love partnering with."
Texarkana residents took advantage of free health services, food and entertainment.
The health fair brought together local organizations that provide a range of programs, health and wellness information, education and fun activities.
The event was hosted by Texarkana Healthcare Marketing Professionals. The organization's board consists of representatives from multiple medical liaisons that work together to educate the community.
"We get together once a month and we have speakers come in to speak to us so we had this idea to plan this health fair open to the public," THMP President Justin Sutton said.
Approximately 30 vendors participated, representing services from home care and medical supplies to assisted living and health insurance. The fair also provided blood sugar and blood pressure screenings.
Brown said it was exciting to see both Texarkanas come together for the event.
"We hope this brings more awareness to what is available and the types of services available here in our community that somebody might not know of," he said. "We have rising health care costs in Arkansas as well as the Texas side, so we got to do something things to combat that and wellness is part of it."