MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The annual Women’s Show and Health Fair returns Saturday, March 7, to the Kansas State Fairgrounds, offering free admission and a wide range of health screenings, services and vendors for families across Reno County.
The event will be held in the Meadowlark Building. The Women’s Show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while the Health Fair is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Jane Holzrichter and Kyran Losew said the event continues its mission of providing access to preventive health care and community resources at no cost to attendees.
“We started a couple years ago opening the doors to all patrons,” Holzrichter said. “The Family Health Fair has always been free to our community, and when we were able to put it all under one building, we decided to open it up to everyone. There are no tickets any longer.”
The Health Fair is sponsored by PrairieStar Health Center, with participation from nearly 60 booths representing local and regional health organizations. Holzrichter said the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System will have a strong presence, offering carotid artery imaging and select lab work, including lipid panels.
Losew said the event aligns closely with Prairie Star’s mission to provide quality care regardless of a patient’s insurance status or ability to pay.
“This fits in with our mission very well,” Losew said. “These are free services we can offer the community. They’re the beginnings of preventive health — getting screenings, getting ahead of any issues that could be coming up. It’s a great opportunity for those who may not have insurance or who can’t afford these screenings.”
Additional screenings will include breast exams, oral cancer screenings and eyeglass adjustments. Educational resources will also be available, including information related to autism spectrum disorders and other developmental conditions.
Holzrichter noted the Women’s Show, now in its 25th year, typically features around 100 vendors from across Kansas, ranging from financial services and chiropractic care to bakeries and retail businesses. Combined with the Health Fair, approximately 160 vendors are expected to participate.
Organizers estimate roughly 1,000 people attend the Health Fair portion alone each year, with many returning annually.
Holzrichter shared that her own carotid screening at a previous event identified a potential thyroid issue, prompting follow-up care. She said organizers have heard similar stories from attendees who credit the event with identifying serious health concerns early.
“We know the health fair saves lives,” Holzrichter said. “If it wasn’t for the health fair, some people might not be here today.”
While branded as a Women’s Show, the event is designed for families, organizers said. Services and vendors cater to men, women and children, from early childhood resources to senior care information.
The event also serves as a fundraiser and service project for Soroptimist International of Hutchinson, supporting educational awards for women and senior girls pursuing further education, as well as emergency assistance for women who are single or heads of household facing financial hardship.
Holzrichter said the goal is simple: provide a welcoming, informative and potentially life-changing day for the community.
“If you don’t go, you’re missing a great opportunity,” she said. “It’s a fun day, a day to relax, socialize and see what’s available in the community — and also to get your health care needs met.”