Health Expo has record attendance

The annual Health & Business Expo, presented by the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, had record attendance last Saturday.

Kelley Fuller, Chamber membership director, said she counted about 1,100, which is substantially more than last year's count of 800 people.

Chamber President/CEO Bill Arnett said the Chamber really pushed advertising for the free community event.

"We aggressively marketed the event this year using Chamber member media outlets in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Navarre and Fort Walton Beach," he said. "We believe the extra advertising helped bring more people through the door."

The expo offered residents a chance to see what health services are available locally and provided them with a chance to meet health-care professionals. Local health-care businesses provided free health screenings, exams, vision tests and other free items.

Attendees were able to browse through more than 70 vendor tables and enjoy entertainment from local dance and vocal groups.

The Northwest Florida Blood Center was on site conducting the Second Annual Warren "Charlie" Brown Memorial Blood Drive from 9-11 a.m.

Fuller said 14 people donated blood during the expo, including several local bus drivers. Other free health services included glucose, osteoporosis, blood pressure, cholesterol, spinal and skin cancer. A limited supply of flu shots and massage therapy demonstrations were also available.

Trauma Roo, Smokey Bear, Ronald McDonald and McGruff the Crime Dog made special appearances at the expo along with local law enforcement agencies and fire departments.