Manchester Community Health Fair 2026 celebrates wellness and community
2026 Manchester Community Health Fair was held on Saturday, January 31. Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
submitted by Laura Wohlgemuth, Manchester Community Health Fair organizer
The Manchester District Library extends heartfelt thanks to the community and to the many local health and wellness organizations and businesses that helped make the Manchester Community Health Fair 2026 a meaningful and successful event.
On Saturday, January 31, the City Room beneath the Manchester District Library transformed into a welcoming hub of health, learning, and connection. The event was free and open to the public, with no cost for admission, health classes, hands-on activities, or raffle prizes, making it accessible to the entire community as well as participating vendors.
The day began at 10am with a natural health class led by Nichole Jensen-Lillie of Hand and Heartwork titled Renewal & New Beginnings. During the session, participants were encouraged to slow down, reflect, and embrace the idea that “emergence doesn’t rush — it unfolds gently.” Jensen-Lillie, a creative cultivator, naturopath, and founder of Hand and Heartwork, shared insights on herbs that help release what no longer serves us and welcome what is ready to grow. Each participant created a unique, personalized tea blend to take home in support of their own wellness journey.
The official Manchester Community Health Fair followed from 11am to 1pm, as the City Room became a one-stop shop for health and wellness resources to help residents start 2026 on a strong and healthy footing.
Participating organizations and businesses included:
Hand and Heartwork; TOPS Manchester; Manchester Wellness Coalition; SRSLY Manchester; Chelsea Hospital; NAMI Washtenaw; Manchester Farmers Market; Our Family Friend (with certified therapy dog Moose); Health Yourself Well; Fit for Life FASTer Way to Fat Loss; Smiling Jim’s Organic Seasonings; Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Environmental Health Bureau; Adult Learners Institute; doTERRA Essential Oils; and the Manchester Lions Club, which provided free vision screenings.
Throughout the fair, many attendees also participated in a personalized essential oil mini-workshop at the doTERRA Essential Oils booth, where they learned the basics of essential oils and created a custom spray to take home for everyday use.
The event concluded with a free community raffle at 12:30pm featuring a wide variety of prizes, including FASTer Way collagen powder complete with a Yeti cup, a handmade quilt donated by TOPS, a 2026 Michigan Places calendar designed by the NAMI board president, Smiling Jim’s Organic Seasonings, water bottles, SRSLY T-shirts and sweatshirts, an MDHHS swag bag, a free class or one-on-one session from Hand and Heartwork, an insulated travel cooler, and other additional gifts.
Plans are already underway for next year’s event. The Manchester Community Health Fair 2027 is scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2027. For more information, contact LWohlgemuth@ManchesterLibrary.
Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
Photo courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.
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