Olly Chaperon says a rise in people becoming more in tune with what’s going on in the world is why she keeps the Oceanside Mind Body Spirit expo running.
The fourth annual Oceanside Mind Body Spirit expo takes place this Saturday (June 24) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m at the Parksville Curling Club rink (220 Corfield Rd.)
Admission is $5 at the door, with proceeds going to Manna Homeless Society.
New this year, said Chaperon, the expo founder, is the Buddha walk. People can walk the Buddha path through the zen garden, toss a coin in the fountain, make a wish and a receive a chance to win a lucky Buddha. All proceeds from the walk will be donated to the SPCA.
This year many of the original vendors are back, Chaperon said, but there are some new vendors as well. These vendors include a live cell analyst who takes a small sample of blood to observe and monitor the state of the body’s systems or organs, and an aura photographer.
“If you’re emotionally distraught there will be a lot of green around the heart area. If there’s a blockage somewhere, there’ll be a different colour,” Chaperon said. “He (the aura photographer) will take the picture and he’ll actually analyze it and tell you what’s going on.”
Chaperon said there is also an iridologist, who takes a picture of the iris and then analyzes it to detect the body’s strengths and weaknesses.
The Oceanside Mind Body Spirit expo started at the Quality Resort Bayside in 2014 with 16 tables and has now grown to 48 tables at the rink. Chaperon said she keeps adding to the expo every year.
Permilia Parham, who has helped Chaperon organize the event over the years, said there is a “fabulous variety of vendors” each year including readers, psychic card readers and natural health providers.
“It’s mind, body, spirit, so it really encompasses those three elements,” Parham said. “People really like to come to this because it’s not just a psychic fair or it’s not just a health fair. It really encompasses all three areas.”