An organizer said the economy likely played a role in how many people showed up Saturday for a free health fair in Rome on Saturday.

Although the event specifically targeted the Latino community, organizer Lila Guerra said services were available to anyone who came in to the West Rome Boys & Girls Club.

“We’re seeing more people who are in the work force this year,” she said during the event. “These are people who could pay for services last year but can’t now.”

She estimated that about 300 participants made their way through the variety of booths set up by local health care providers.

The event included free blood pressure and cholesterol checks, blood sugar checks, breast cancer screening, dental screening, HIV testing and prostate exams.

She also said chiropractic care was being provided, and information from the Rome-Floyd Fire Department and the Rome Police Department was also available.

Because of the language barriers between service providers, translators were on hand to help bridge the communications gap.

And before participants left, Guerra made sure everyone took a towel home.

“It feels good to have a new towel,” she said.

Guerra said she had help from people like Gena Agnew of the Northwest Georgia Cancer Coalition, Carmen Quintero and Silvia Castillo in putting the fair together.

“We want to especially thank everyone who took part in making it happen,” she said.