Growth in Cochrane has become a hot topic, and at this year’s Community Wellness Fair there will be a focus on embracing that growth.
Candy Weisner is the services programmer for Cochrane Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and said this is the first year that the fair has had a theme and they hope to continue with the idea, choosing a different theme each year.
“We decided to add the theme of embracing our growth and make the event even better. The exhibitors were excited about it,” said Weisner.
The theme is intended to have a few meanings, according to Weisner, including embracing the growth of Cochrane as a community and also growth as individuals in terms of health and wellness both mentally and physically.
There will be 60 tables at the event and Weisner estimated there would be around 55 exhibitors including groups ranging from non-profits to ones that have to do with sport to health.
Some of the exhibitors included this year are Cochrane Society for Housing Options, Soulstice Wellness Centre, Canadian Blood Services and Grand Avenue Pharmacy.
Weisner said that they have increased participation this year with 18 more exhibitors than last year. She said that half of the exhibitors from last year were in contact right away to sign up for this year.
Another new element to this year’s fair will be the roaming reporter, who Weisner said would be travelling around to the different tables during the event with a microphone and an amp. Each exhibitor will be given around five minutes to talk about what they have to offer. Although the fair focuses on health and wellness, Weisner pointed out that this event has always been about welcoming people to the community.
“It is for absolutely everybody, but also trying to let people who are new know what we offer,” she said.
The fair will be held Saturday, Oct. 25 at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Admission is free, but Weisner said they would be accepting food donations for the Cochrane Activettes Food Bank. For more information call FCSS at 403-851-2250.
