Celebrating the Art of Healthy Living at the Farmers' Market

On Saturday, June 21, the Owensboro Health team joined forces with local artists and farmers to host the annual Food+ Art+Health celebration at the Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market — and the turnout was incredible. More than 4,000 community members came together to enjoy fresh food, live performances and hands-on health education under the pavilion at the corner of Triplett Street and Parrish Avenue.

This event shines a spotlight on what makes a community thrive: access to nutritious food, vibrant arts and active engagement in health and wellness. From 8 a.m. to noon, attendees were treated to a lively mix of music, dancing, storytelling and interactive booths — each one bringing a different piece of the wellness puzzle to life.

A Morning Full of Music, Movement and Meaning

Local musician Randy Lanham and Friends kicked off the morning and closed out the celebration, bookending performances by Theatre Workshop of Owensboro, Owensboro Dance Theatre and Encore Musicals. Meanwhile, local arts organizations like the Owensboro Symphony and Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum offered interactive activities and shared upcoming programs.

“The F+A+H event brings many participants to the Market for a great morning in our community,” said Debbie Zuerner, Director of Community Engagement at Owensboro Health. “Not only for the many farmers and vendors at the Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market, but for our arts community organizations and the Owensboro Health team members.”

“Participants at the Market have an opportunity to speak directly with many of our service line representatives and receive valuable information and items to encourage healthy living. Market attendees get to meet (and hear) from our many Arts organizations who share their talent, upcoming events and encourage hands-on experiences.”

“The value of the intersection of food, art and health in a community simply cannot be understated; we should continue all year long to talk about how important these are in our daily lives and how the intersection contributes to health and wellness. Across Kentucky, we should be celebrating our rich culture and many assets in these areas.”

Health in Action

Representatives from Owensboro Health’s Prevention Services, Endocrinology, Fitness, Maternity Services and other departments were on hand to offer education, free resources and friendly conversations. One of the day’s standout efforts came from the Trauma Injury Prevention team, which fitted and distributed 122 free helmets and educated 235 people on bike and pedestrian safety.

“I love participating in community events, especially the Food+ Art+Health event at the Farmers' Market, because I am provided the opportunity to interact with all ages to share knowledge and promote safety awareness within our community,” said Hannah Blanton, Trauma Injury Prevention and Community Outreach Coordinator for Owensboro Health.

“With my background in Emergency Department nursing, I’ve cared for many trauma patients, including those with head injuries from not wearing helmets or wearing improperly fitted ones, and I’ve witnessed first-hand the devastation these injuries cause to patients and their families. If I can help reduce the number of trauma patients by being active in our community, then my heart is happy.”

A Lasting Impact

The Food+ Art+Health celebration has become a powerful example of what’s possible when health care meets community creativity. It’s more than a day at the market — it’s a vision for how health and culture can come together all year long.