WCCH Celebrates Community Spirit at the 2024 Downtown Wytheville 4th of July Celebration & Festival
July 9, 2024
Kayla Helewski, RN, BSN, Clinical Educator and Clinical Outcomes Coordinator, and Lala Lyons, RN, BSN, Quality Data Analyst, represented WCCH at the 2024 Downtown Wytheville 4th of July festival.
Wythe County Community Hospital (WCCH) proudly participated in the 2024 Downtown Wytheville 4th of July Celebration & Festival, the largest single-day event in Wythe County and one of the biggest Independence Day celebrations in Southwest Virginia. Building on last year’s massive success, this year's festival attracted over 13,000 visitors and featured a wide array of activities and entertainment, including 11 bands and musicians performing throughout downtown.
Kayla Helewski, RN, BSN, Clinical Educator and Clinical Outcomes Coordinator, and Lala Lyons, RN, BSN, Quality Data Analyst, represented WCCH at the festival. Reflecting on the experience, Helewski shared her enthusiasm: “I was so happy to represent WCCH at the Downtown Wytheville July 4th Celebration and Street Festival. Any opportunity to engage with our community is a privilege & this fantastic event was no exception. It was a joy to see so many familiar faces and to make so many new friends. Lala & I were able to provide educational resources on Hands-Only CPR & Early Heart Attack Care (EHAC), discuss the many specialists who provide surgical care services to our area, & hand out water & much-appreciated sunscreen. Our tent also served as a reprieve from the rain for many folks during an unexpected downpour & we enjoyed the opportunity to laugh & chat with them while the storm passed. We love supporting our community & this truly was a beautiful day to do just that!”
The festival, which kicked off at 2 p.m. with a classic car cruise-in, featured performances by notable acts such as Martha Spencer & The Wonderland Country Band, Grammy nominees Della Mae, and the rising progressive bluegrass group Shadowgrass. Alongside the vibrant live music, attendees enjoyed a patriotic kids parade with prizes, inflatables, games, food and drink specials from downtown restaurants, artisan vendors, and a grand fireworks display launching from Withers Park.
The event, renowned for its community spirit and festive atmosphere, also included a downtown water feature from the Wytheville Fire Department, making it a family-friendly celebration that catered to all ages.
As part of WCCH’s ongoing commitment to community health and wellness, Helewski and Lyons took the opportunity to engage with festival-goers, offering vital health information and resources. Their presence underscored WCCH’s dedication to fostering a healthier, more informed community.
For more information about WCCH and our community outreach programs, please visit www.wcch.org.