June 2, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Wellbeing Fest Reaches New Heights: Health and Fitness Event Returns Bigger, at New Location

By Sam Skopp

 

The annual Health & Fitness Festival returned Saturday Sept. 9 to Santa Monica, this year at its new Christina Reed Emerson Park location. Each year, the event, which is co-produced by the City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Buy Local Santa Monica and the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation, invites local businesses and organizations to come together for a community event focused on the wellbeing of Santa Monica locals.

“We’re really pleased to be here,” said Jennifer Taylor, Santa Monica Buy Local Committee Chair. “It feels right. It’s fun to be in a park with trees and grass.”

Taylor explained that this year’s event featured 95 exhibitors, whereas last year there was about 70. Among these were businesses ranging from small bakeries and workout studios to the UCLA Health Center, which she cited as being the city’s largest employer.

Bezian Bakery was one of the small businesses represented at the festival. The bakery is located in East Hollywood, and has a weekly booth at the Arizona Avenue Farmers Market. Isabel Gallegos, their Sales and Marketing Rep, explained that their bread is made egg-free with wild yeast and a sourdough probiotic culture.

“We’re making bread healthier,” Gallegos said. “There’s a lot of support for everything healthy here. A lot of people are coming out so it’s a very outdoorsy crowd.”

The Santa Monica Family YMCA was another local organization represented at the festival. Mary Kay Campbell, who is a Healthy Living Director at the local YMCA, explained that they were at the festival to raise awareness of the full range of their facilities.

“We have a lot of senior programs and older adult programs that a lot of people don’t know about,” Campbell said. “And we have a lot of fitness programs for kids.”

Many of those visiting the festival were families with children, and many booths included child-friendly activities, like prize wheels and a face-hole board to pose for photos.

“Our school community is so grateful for the Buy Local initiative, because it brings desperately needed funds into our public schools,” said Linda Greenberg, Executive Director of the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation.

Since Reed Park has exercise machines, a “workout challenge” was outlined on a whiteboard, in addition to a workout circuit utilizing the machines. Additionally, runners participating in the Santa Monica Classic 5k and 10k runs, which took place the following day, were able to pick up their racing bibs at the festival.

The park’s stage also featured entertainment throughout the day, which included dance and fitness lessons, the Santa Monica High Marching Band, a World Music and Jazz band, and more. For more information on upcoming Buy Local Santa Monica events, visit buylocalsantamonica.com.

The festival found continuing success at its new location.
The workout challenge posed to visitors.
Photos: Sam Skopp

Related Posts

Alpine Floor & Home: A Legacy of Quality Since 1968

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Founded in 1968 with a single location, Alpine Floor & Home began as a humble family business with a clear...

Chin Chin to Close West Hollywood Location After 45 Years of Service

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Iconic Sunset Plaza Restaurant Announces Final Day of Operations Chin Chin, the iconic Chinese eatery that has been a fixture...

LACMA’s $700M David Geffen Galleries to Open in 2026

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

New Structure Will Replace Original Midcentury Buildings Construction crews are entering the final stretch on the David Geffen Galleries, a...

Criterion Mobile Closet Arrives in L.A. for Two-Day Stop at Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

More Than 1,000 Classic Titles June 6–7 During American Cinematheque’s Bleak Week  Following its successful appearances at SXSW and Vidiots...

Lane Closures Return to PCH in Malibu for Fire Recovery and Emergency Repairs

June 1, 2025

June 1, 2025

Traffic Will Be Impacted as Caltrans and the USACE Conduct Cleanup  The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced updated...

Update: Police Non-Emergency Line Temporarily Down Due to Service Outage in Culver City

June 1, 2025

June 1, 2025

Emergency 9-1-1 Services Remain Active; Alternate Numbers are Available  UPDATE – Monday, June 2 at 7:25 am The Culver City...

Culver City to Frame Iconic Tree with Landmark Sculpture by Charles Gaines

June 1, 2025

June 1, 2025

Acclaimed Conceptual Artist’s Public Artwork Enters Final Phase Culver City is moving forward with the final phase of an ambitious...

Defensible Space, Defined: How A Plus Tree Protects Communities from Wildfire

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

In the wildfire-prone landscapes of the Western United States, safeguarding homes and communities requires proactive measures. A Plus Tree, a...

WeHo Pride Weekend Begins and 2025 Icons Announced: Parades, Concerts, and Community Celebration Kicks Off

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

Three-Day LGBTQ+ Festival Features Performances by Lizzo, Maren Morris, and Kim Petras West Hollywood is preparing to kick off its...

Palisades Village to Reopen in 2026 with Revamped Retail, Dining, and Community Spaces

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Elysewalker Set to Return With Park Reconstruction, Holiday Events, and Streetscape Upgrades Palisades Village, the open-air shopping and lifestyle destination...

Bel Air Seventh Grader Reaches Finals of Scripps National Spelling Bee

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Oliver Halkett of Mirman School Competed on Thursday for a $50,000 prize Thirteen-year-old Oliver Halkett, a seventh grader from Mirman...

(Video) Signs That Your Aging Loved Ones Are in Need of Caregiving

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

To Find Out More, Go To Safelyhomeagain.com To Find Out More, Go To https://t.co/ZCPyKHj5aq pic.twitter.com/cDTEPjfA6s — Westside Today (@WestsideLAToday) May...

Two Men Charged in Culver City Kidnapping and Robbery After Victim Forced to Withdraw Cash

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Suspects Allegedly Abducted Man at Gunpoint, Drove Him to Multiple Banks  Two men have been arrested and formally charged in...

Salt & Straw Unveils Summer Pie Series with Five Seasonal Ice Cream Flavors

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Five New Flavors Inspired by Classic Summer Pies Will Be Introduced Salt & Straw is giving summer a scoopable twist...

(Video) Interviews with Rick Caruso and Elyse Walker, with a Dennis Quaid cameo

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

We spoke at the Press Conference to announce plans to reopen Palisades Village Shopping Mall. Actor Dennis Quaid arrives to...