Abbey Gardens executive director, Angela Kruger, sits and listens to the wind blow through the trees. It relaxes her. “I just find nature brings you peace. You read studies that now people are realizing this more and more.”
That’s one of the reasons she and the Abbey Gardens fundraising committee have decided to stage a wellness event July 12 at 1012 Garden Gate Dr.
There will be wellness workshops and demonstrations, and natural, eco-friendly, holistic wellness products and services on offer.
Abbey Gardens kicked off its big tent season with Girls Nite Out July 5. They’ll feature Off the Rock – a tribute to Great Big Sea – July 19, followed by a food festival and Beach Boys tribute band Aug. 16.
Kruger said, “the music, or the concerts, that happen in the tent are what we would call friendraising – it is people coming in purely for entertainment. But, because we are community-oriented, we want to have some events that do appeal to a wider audience and families, especially.”
As for this Saturday’s wellness event, Kruger said she joined Abbey Gardens because she sees “a real connection between nature and wellness, and how they play a part in your mental health; the fact that Abbey Gardens is open to the public, free, 365 days of the year. We have that nature offering to help people unwind.
“There’s also, locally, many things around that. It’s a very holistic community. It’s a first annual wellness event and I hope it continues; just a spot for people who are selling services, products, for ourselves, because we are going to launch some of those more tourism and workshop type pieces that centre around nature and wellness, because people are seeking that right now.”
The food festival is a replacement for the garlic festival that used to be staged at the site.
“We have wonderful food vendors,” she said, noting they will still have garlic, but also woodfired pizza, Kawartha Dairy ice cream, Til Death BBQ, and Boshkung Brewing Co. She said people can also shop from local artisans and there will be face painting.
On the day, they’ll feature Beach Party Boys – a tribute to the Beach Boys.
She noted they have moved up the times for the musical offerings, doors opening at 4 p.m. for 4:30 p.m. concerts.
She said it allows travelling musicians to get away earlier, plus Abbey Gardens’ Food Hub and woodfired pizza truck will still be open.
“We tried to appeal to a wider audience and it’s fallen into place. It’s great. There’s a different theme and a different feel or vibe to each one,” Kruger said.
It all winds up Aug. 25 at Blairhampton Golf Club, with the seventh Abbey Gardens golf tournament fundraiser; which Kruger describes as “a day of competition, great food, and meaningful impact, all in support of educational and environmental programming.”
For more information on all of the events, go to www.abbeygardens.ca, or call 705754-4769.
