A buzz is in the air as a first time all-things-Kootenay showcase readies to go in Trail this weekend.
The Kootenay Healthy Lifestyle Expo is set to feature a long list of exhibitors and a line up of inspiring presentations on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the Trail Memorial Centre.
And if that isn’t enough, local businesses have donated over $10,000 in prizes.
The Trail and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event, which is the organization’s largest fundraising project to date. Admission is $5, with proceeds going directly back into marketing for the businesses in Greater Trail.
“We’ve got a lineup of over 70 exhibitors, a ‘Healthy Food Court’ and Trail’s incrEDIBLE Farmers Market,” Executive Director Audry Durham said.
All exhibitors fall into one of three pillars, “Eat Right, Live Well &Go Green.”
“There’s also an opportunity to hear a lineup of 15 expert health and wellness presenters opening with Mark Cullen, Canada’s gardening guru,” she said. “And ending with Yasodhara Ashram’s yoga and meditation practice at 5 p.m.”
Besides Cullen’s “The New Canadian Garden” presentation which begins at 10:30 a.m., visitors can check out 14 other guests throughout the day, and learn about a wide range of topics such as: “Parenting for Your and your Children’s Well Being” by Nelson’s Judy Banfield of Mountain Baby; Brain Games for Your Dog by Amy Rennette of Trail’s Barks and Recreation; Organic Farming, Good for Our Planet by Jeanine Powell from Earthy Organics in Fruitvale; Mark Slessor of downtown Trail’s Performance Fitness, presenting Health and Fitness: The Key to a Happier; and Naturopathic Medicine care of East Trail’s Dr. Jeffrey J. Hunt.
“This will be a one-stop for learning about health and wellness and attendees are welcome to stay the day or return to hear the presentations they are interested in,” said Durham.
For anyone needing a lift to and from the site, the chamber’s official transportation sponsor, AM Ford, will be providing two shuttles for transporting attendees back and forth to their cars.
“They’ll have a tent by the arena parking lot, and will follow folks to the end of town to park,” Durham added. “The event will draw people to the downtown and we want to make sure there is plenty of merchant parking.”
The trade show has a local impact with close to half the exhibitors from the immediate area.
“Showcasing both our local businesses and our community to potential new, out of area businesses and attendees to the event,” Durham said. “Wellness tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the industry and we are fortunate enough to have over 40 at our event to showcase.”
The Chamber is hosting a Welcome Reception on Friday night for exhibitors with sponsors from the City of Rossland, Village of Warfield, Community Futures and Lower Columbia Initiatives opening the event.
“Our exhibitors are our products,” Durham emphasized. “And we really want them going away, saying what a great experience they had at our Expo.”
The Lower Columbia is being promoted to investors and newcomers for the healthy local lifestyle, she said.
“And can encourage anyone to move here to live, work and play,” Durham shared. “Our event follows this economic development lead.
”The most amazing part has been the support from local businesses. We have over $10,000 in prizes donated from our business community.”
Admission is $5 at the door, and includes a ticket to enter the prize draws. The first 1,000 attendees will also receive a swag bag full of goodies. More information can be found at www.kootenayhealthylifetylesexpo.com