The annual Buy Local Health and Fitness Festival returns to Santa Monica Saturday, September 10, from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Civic Center Surface Area. The festival celebrates services and products from local neighborhoods,while inviting residents and visitors to learn about eating and living well.Featuring much loved festival standouts such as healthy and delicious food, pop-up vendors,and raffles, this year also promises different events from previous years’, such as a bike rodeo, and a more extensive selection of kids’ activities.
Organized by Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the City ofSanta Monica and Buy Local Santa Monica,the festival hopes to see an increase attendance due to the Metro line. “The goal of this year’s event is to have a little bit of everything that is important to residents and businesses,” Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce President Laurel Rosen explained. “It also gives us an opportunity to showcase our great hospitals and businesses,hear about valuable resources and do some shopping to support our local businesses.
Over 2,000 people join us to have fun, eat great food and meet their neighbors.”Rosen told The Mirror that she expects the3,000-attendee mark to be exceeded this year,with more than 100 vendors signed on the meet the demand.“There is plenty of parking at the event, as well as a bike valet,” Rosen added. “We expect people will take the train, hop on a bus, bike,drive, walk, or run.” Music is on the bill alongside interactive classes, and opportunities to get to know all that Santa Monica has to offer.“Local businesses will provide expertise,advice, health screenings and free product samples to promote a healthy and happy lifestyle for the entire Santa Monica Community,” organizers said. This year will also see the return of theFitness Trainer competition, which always sees the city’s most active vie for the title of Santa Monica’s Finest Trainer.The health and fitness festival event was originally created in 1989 to support local businesses and raise awareness about the community, and the benefits of choosing local businesses, food, or healthcare first. The festival has proven very popular since then, draw-ing crowds in the thousands year after year.Some of the exhibitors this year include theL.A. Marathon, Naam Yoga Center and ArthurMurray Dance Floor exhibition. 24 Hour Fitness,Rusty’s Surf Ranch, UCLA Health, Santa Monica YMCA, and Base camp Fitness, will also be on hand. The event is free. For more information on the event, or to see the comprehensive list of exhibitors, visit smchamber.com, or tweet @san-tamonicabiz or @buylocalsm.
