Wellness fair returns to Wooster

The community is invited to attend the fifth annual Wellness, Holistic, Alternative Treatment and Therapy Fair March 20-21 at the Secrest Welcome and Education Center, a family-friendly event offering experiential and educational opportunities to learn about holistic wellness.

Secrest is located at 2122 Williams Road in Wooster. The fair will run from 4-8 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. There is a $10 admission fee, with kids age 10 and under free. Parking is available on-site, and there will be a food and coffee truck.

There will be more than 20 vendors at the event including Engaging the Spirit, Aralyn’s Earthly Alchemy, doTERRA Essential Oils, National Alliance on Mental Illness, LIFE: A Dementia Friendly Foundation, Menopause Wellness, Burlwood Sound and Wellness, Emese Kelemen (former medical doctor and shamanic healer), Zensational Organics, and Sedimental Value.

There will be a variety of classes, presentations and experiences included in the entry fee, along with some vendor services available for an additional fee. Burlwood Sound and Wellness will offer a sound bath, and mini Reiki sessions also will be available. The canine therapy group will be there with its four-legged companions. There also will be a self-guided self-care experience, an art activity and a belly dance class/performance.

“We have classes and presentations both days, presented by vendors,” Rev. Brook Winkler said. "A schedule will be posted on social media and the Engaging the Spirit website a week prior to the fair."

In addition to being a Ph.D. candidate in mind-body medicine, Winkler is an advanced clinical heart-centered hypnotherapist, Reiki master, psychic medium, registered yoga teacher, certified laugh-a-yoga coach, MARI practitioner, artist and belly dancer.

Her own personal experiences of healing illness and trauma have led her on a lifetime learning journey and to her mission to help others on their healing journey. The WHATT Fair is a part of that.

“Trauma impacts the body in many ways," Winkler said. "We, as humans, often try to compartmentalize illness, and I believe in the mind-body-spirit connection. It is treating the person as a whole and recognizing that our experiences, our relationships, our attitude, all of it, affect our wellness. I am a holistic wellness practitioner, and I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January. Along with traditional treatment, it has been the holistic practices that have been paramount in my recovery from a mind-body-spirit perspective.”

The WHATT Fair is still accepting vendors. Anyone interested is invited to apply on the website. Find more information at www.engagingthespirit.com/ and @engagingthespirit on social media.

Winkler said those who attend may learn about new avenues of wellness and find relaxation and smiles.

“The fair is a great opportunity to take care of you,” she said. “Learn about the different services available in our area, ask questions because vendors are passionate about what they do, and explore new ways of self-care for the mind, body and spirit, and it is fun.”