Pictured Grant Storzuk – Osoyoos Physio + South Okanagan Wellness Centres.

The Okanagan Similkameen Healthy Living Fair Society is thrilled with the turnout and support the community showed during this past weekend’s Healthy Living Fair which took place at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre, with over 3,000 community members in attendance. Despite the rain and wind, the SOEC Complex was extremely busy with the Healthy Living Fair, the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour and the 2016 Canadian Sport School Hockey League Championships.

There was something for all ages at the 2016 Okanagan Similkameen Healthy Living Fair including the Penticton Public Library Reading Nook which many young families took advantage of throughout the day. The Penticton MEND team were also on site from the City of Penticton Recreation Department – reminding children and parents to chose a healthy lifestyle and encouraging them to sign up for the next FREE 10-week program!

The 2016 event hosted a number of awesome speaker sessions including: Sandra Turnbull, Registered Dietitian from Interior Health’s “Mindful Eating – The Missing Ingredient in a Healthy Diet”; Jesse Colbeck, also a Registered Dietitian with Interior Health presenting “Dear Diet, Let’s Break Up”; Dr. Miranda Wiley with Nature’s Fare Markets speaking about “Happy Joints: Fight Inflammation and Stay Mobile and Pain Free at All Ages”; the youth from The YES Project encouraged the public to Give Penticton Youth #Avoice4once and Evelyn Markin with the Canadian Cancer Society bring awareness to Cancer Prevention.

There was a yummy Healthy Eating Session in the Expo Lounge called “Pizza with a Punch” provided by Andrea Archibald and Sherry Medernach, both are Registered Dietitians from Interior Health.

The community was energized by Physical Activity Demos provide by the team from Bodies on Power; Wendy from the Get Bent Active Arts Society; Richard demonstrated his Tai Chi moves; the City of Penticton Recreation Department MEND team presented some fun family CATCH activities and wrapping up with Pilates using a Wouda Chair was newcomer Crazi Springz Classic Pilates.

The Healthy Living Assessment stations were also well utilized as pre-registered participants reviewed the current levels of their health at the various stations: Eat Right, Be Active, Stop Smoking, Well being and Blood Pressure. Participants are now encouraged to take their completed Profile and Plan to their next annual doctor’s appointment. The stations assessments were in partnership with the UBC-O 3rd year nursing students, Interior Health, Sprott Shaw nursing students and the Canadian Mental Health Association through their ForMyHealth! Program. The society has plans to expand these partnerships, again, in future years. A random winner was chosen from the pre-registered participants to win a “Lentils” recipe book produced by Lentils Canada in celebration that 2016 is the International Year of Pulses.

There was also free hearing health checks with Connect Hearing and over 75 different organizations and businesses represented in the 90+ booths on the trade show floor. All organizations focused on the growing desire to live a healthier lifestyle and to make the Okanagan Similkameen the “Healthiest Region in BC”.

For more information on the Okanagan Similkameen Healthy Living Fair Society be sure to visit: www.healthylivingfair.com and watch for year round announcements, events and partnerships.