Community Health and Wellness Fair draws strong crowd, community partnerships shine

Cartersville, Ga. (March 3, 2026) — The Community Health & Wellness Fair, held on Saturday, February 28, drew a strong turnout as hundreds of residents gathered at the Olin Tatum Building for a day dedicated to wellness, education and community connection.

The free event — hosted in partnership with Piedmont Cartersville, UGA Extension, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Compassion Center, Highland Rivers Behavioral Health, Recovery Bartow, Men Build Men, The Local Reach Project and additional organizations — offered health screenings, demonstrations, and resources designed to support healthier living for families across Bartow County.

Attendees enjoyed a full lineup of activities, including free health screenings, conversations with local experts, healthy cooking demonstrations, and more than a dozen information tables highlighting community programs and services. A highlight of the day was a special visit from Cartersville’s own UGA football players—Sacovie White-Helton (#18) and Malachi Toliver (#51)—along with UGA’s beloved mascot, Hairy Dawg, who greeted families and posed for photos.

Event coordinators say the day exceeded expectations, thanks to the strong collaboration among local agencies and the enthusiasm of community members.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, volunteered, or partnered with us to make this event such a success,” said event coordinator Ginger Tyra, Director of Community Relations at Piedmont Cartersville. “Seeing families come out to learn, connect, and support one another reminded us why this work matters.”

Organizers extended special thanks to the participating organizations for providing screenings, staffing tables and sharing valuable educational materials. Volunteers and staff helped ensure a smooth flow of visitors throughout the five-hour event.

The fair also provided an opportunity for residents to meet their neighbors, explore wellness resources and learn ways to improve their health throughout the year.

“This was truly a community effort,” Tyra added. “We look forward to bringing even more health-focused events to Cartersville and Bartow County in the future.”