Large crowds attend Penticton Wellness Fair
The Penticton Wellness Fair gave locals the opportunity to learn how to better balance the mind, body, and soul this past weekend.
Shara Mendoza and her father Chris Madsen have been planning and running the fair each year since 2004. They began in Vernon before working their way to Kelowna in 2010, and finally to Penticton in 2015.
Admission was free and attendees even received a goodie bag upon arrival.
Each year brings about 2,000 people through on the weekend, Mendoza said.
“We had a great turnout — and we have about 70 exhibitors,” she said.
It was a personal experience and struggle with Crohn’s disease that inspired Mendoza to begin educating herself on what she could do to keep herself healthy. And, while a conventional medicine helped with flare ups, she knew she had to do more to prevent it from happening again.
“I was really struggling with (Crohn’s) as a child. I just couldn’t get a handle on it, and I couldn’t get well,” she explained. “I’ve been in remission for 15 years now and I really attribute it to what we’re doing at this fair.”
The exhibitors set up in the community centre gym with displays that ranged from healthy eating to meditation and counselling. Soaps, jewelry and spices were among the many hand-made items for sale.
“This is great for people who want to network and see what’s out there if you want to get into the wellness industry,” said Mendoza. “It’s also great for people just knowing they’re not feeling their greatest and they’re not quite sure what to do about it.”
Hands-on booths included massages and bioresonance therapy, and title sponsor Connect Hearing offered hearing tests for those interested.
The two-day event concluded Sunday afternoon.