ATHOL – Bob Curley, a U.S. Army veteran and president of the North Quabbin Trails Association, is hoping the first Annual Athol Community Health Fair & Music Festival will generate a greater sense of community involvement.

The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Mill Brook Crossing, formerly Lord Pond Plaza.

Nearly two dozen vendors, including many representing downtown Athol businesses, will set up in tents on the eastern side of the plaza, as will a handful of food vendors. The health fair itself will take place inside the North Quabbin Veterans Center, located at 72 Freedom St.

“Inside will be veterans, community, and first responder service organizations,” said Curley. “You can come as an individual or family and find hidden treasures that are available to you, both financially and health benefits. ‘Hidden treasures’ means, for example, Veterans Services may be able to sign you up for benefits you didn’t know you were eligible for….All of the groups set up in the center are going to provide service, knowledge, and education about potential benefits for you and your family.”

Curley explained that, working with founder John Dodge and other officials at the NQVC, the goal is to create a community veterans center.

“There will be new PTSD training, new bi-monthly support groups,” said Curley. “Real estate professionals will come in and discuss mortgages for veterans; the great benefits they can get. My goal is to make this center a daily operation. Right now, they’re only doing this sort of thing one day a week. There’s so much more that can be done by opening up as a community – emphasis on community – veterans center.”

In addition to various organizations on hand, there will also be a nurses station at the center set up by local nurse Arlene Belliveau and staffed by professional nurses.

“They’ll be coming and setting up an interactive nursing station,” said Curley, “taking blood pressures, maybe discussing any health concerns you might have.”

Curley said he hopes to see the veterans center become a vital part of the community.

“There’s so much we could do here,” he said. “We want a facility that demonstrates a unity of purpose among the veterans and others in this community. Hopefully, this event can be a catalyst for to reach that goal.”

Bands scheduled to perform include: Space Bar from 1:30-3 p.m.; Rice, An American Band, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.; and Young Other from 5-6 p.m.

Organizations located in the North Quabbin Veterans Center include GAAMHA, Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, North Quabbin Community Coalition, Athol Recovery Center, State Veterans Services Engagement Office, Women’s State Veterans Services, Homefront Strong, ServiceNet, DAV, North Quabbin Trails Association, Heywood Healthcare, Seven Hills, Senior Helpers, MedMinder, Pioneer Valley Hospice, Quinsigamond College Veterans Services, Athol District Veterans Services, Orange Community Health Workers, Thin Line Peer Support Team, Shell Hines Shiatsu and the nursing station. A Women’s Recover Art exhibit will be featured throughout the center.

Vendors and organizations who will set up outside include Girl Scouts,123 Children Daycare, Athol Area YMCA, Launchspace, Peaceful Roots, Athol/ Orange Rotary, Cornerstone Bank, Athol Trading Post, MASS HIRE, Hometown Reality, TNT Co-op, Hometown Harvest, Athol Credit Union, Town of Athol, Ron’s Fuel, Half & Half, Weathervane, Glammas Goodies, Lu Costa, Bailey 3d Printing, Sarah Melendez Creative Minds and Macrame & More.

Food vendors include Taco Queen, Pops Sweet Harts, Launchspace Food Preparation and Bubble Bunny Boba Shop.