The Beverly Area Planning Association is organizing its annual Community Health Expo at Ridge Park on Saturday, focusing on health and wellness for women, children, and teens. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 9625 S. Longwood Drive.
Aaqila Harvey, the association’s community business director, stated that this year marks the fourth edition of the expo and emphasized its interactive approach. “We have over 50 vendors ranging from different levels of health and wellness,” Harvey said. “We want to make this expo interactive and not just an expo that you could come in, look around, grab a brochure and leave.”
Each vendor will offer demonstrations for attendees interested in learning more about various aspects of health. Live and Believe Wellness is scheduled to conduct a free high-intensity interval class during the event. Attendees can also speak directly with health practitioners.
“There are a lot of different options available,” Harvey said. “We have someone who will be teaching how to make salads better, and we also have blood pressure readings and things of that nature.”
Harvey encouraged participation by saying: “Bring yourself and an open mind,” she said. “It is a free event. If you want to participate in the exercise class, I would dress comfortably.”
The expo was created with the aim of connecting local residents with diverse resources related to health and wellness while showcasing professionals from Beverly, Morgan Park, and Mt. Greenwood.
Harvey explained why February was chosen for the event each year: “We have always centered the health expo for the wintertime,” she said. “Once the holidays are over and we have gone to all of the parties and been in the holiday spirit, typically, when it comes to the new year, people want to reset. What better way to kind of usher in a reset than to have a health and wellness event at the top of the year?”
The event is open to everyone regardless of neighborhood affiliation.
For more information or a complete list of participating businesses, visit their website.
