Wellness fair draws crowd

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Visitors listened to life coaches, treated themselves to massages and nibbled on vegan cookies at a wellness event in Penticton, on Saturday.

The first ever Penticton Wellness Fair is taking place this weekend at the community centre.

"We have held it in Kelowna and Vernon, and we have had such overwhelming support from the public that we decided to bring it here as well," said Shara Mendoza, who organizes the fair with her father

The event features more than 80 products and services from the health and wellness industry, ranging from organic skin care to essential oils, chiropractors and massage, clothing and jewelry.

On Saturday, people arriving at the location were given a free welcome bag. Once inside, they chatted with the many exhitors.

Vendor Bonita Summers, a psychic life and business coach from Kelowna, said she was happy to be in Penticton.

"I've done a number of events here, and I feel that the people here are very open," she said. "In my case I'm not a conventional psychic. I don't tell the future, I help people ulnderstand how they are creating their future through their subconscious patterns."

Nearby, Stephanos Liapis with Pulse Kitchen shared information on his gluten free and vegan cookies and dairy free cashew cheeses.

"I think this is great," he said. "I think we need to have more events where people connect face to face in person rather than through a computer screen or a smart phone."

Attendee Liane Jurcic, a breast cancer survivor, said she was there to see what the fair had to offer for her well-being and her family's well-being.

There are also prizes at the event.

The event runs until 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday.