Beat the Winter Blues: Self care, wellness fair

PLATTSBURGH | An indoor craft and wellness fair March 1 aims to help Beat the Winter Blues. The Self Care Wellness Fair is free to attend and, now in its eighth year, has expanded to welcome 60 local artisan vendors. Admission is free and this is a family-friendly event, said founder Patrick Monette, a mental health counselor who created the self-care wellness fair as respite from winter doldrums. "It's an event for the community. I know how hard it is living in the North County with months of darkness and cold. You've got to layer up just to go outside the door. People struggle with anxiety and depression, and the isolation can really affect us," he said. "Our goal was to create a place where people can just come together for an afternoon. It's family-oriented. It's really just evolved." Beat the Winter Blues began with 15 vendors eight years ago, he said. Their move to the West Side Ballroom several years ago helped the event expand. "This will be our third year at the West Side ballroom. It's just been wonderful. There's so much light from the windows, it's an amazing place." Dodging a winter storm and a bitter cold snap, the craft fair moved from its January date to March 1 this year, which proved more available to local craftspeople, artisans, makers and small businesses. The time frame fits beyond the Christmas lights and holiday rush against an edge of winter that seems to just drag on. "I learned that West Side has additional rooms," Monette said. "This year, we will have 50 vendors in the main ballroom with another 10 vendors in an extra room. The local vendors are really cool people to work with." A favorite response as people come through the West Side entrance is a look of surprise and wonder, he said. "Surprise at how magical it is. People come in, and they are like Oh my gosh'. You can sit down. We have vendors who have snacks. Every vendor has made cool and beautiful things to show. There is something for people to look forward to. Some people come in with their kids, some people come in without their kids for an afternoon date. It's just a really cool celebratory feeling and really healing." That is how a self-care wellness fair beats the winter blues. "As an organizer, it's always a cool moment before opening the door to look around and see what the incredible vendors have brought together. It's amazing to see all the connections they've made. "There is no entry fee. I've tried to make it free, even if you don't spend a cent, you can come in from the cold and have some snacks, enter raffles and sign up for the giveaways." This is a post holiday, summer precursor for makers, artisans and local crafters who also have to endure a long stretch between the harvest markets and summer's start. "Every year it's a little more magical. I'm excited to see this year unfold, as it's a little bigger. My hope is that people just come in and have fun and treat themselves. There are some incredible businesses out there." It's been a long, long cold winter, Monette said. "Everyone is welcome to explore something fun and inspiring." Beat the Winter Blues Wellness & Craft Fair is open on Sunday, March 1, from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the West Side Ballroom, 253 New York Road in Plattsburgh. Monette is queuing up another unique fair with the first Magically Delicious Sweet Expo on May 17, which will also be held at the West Side Ballroom with free admission for the community. "Sweets are so good for friendly competition, so we are going to have a contest with themes like 'the most kid-friendly treat', or 'the most magically delicious chocolate'. The vendors will win the prizes," Monette said.

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Beat the Winter Blues: Self care, wellness fair

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