Sargent’s hosting Natural Health Expo

A spacious greenhouse at Sargent’s Nursery in Red Wing sits empty throughout the entire winter, which tends to stretch about five or six months in Minnesota, so in order to make the most of the space, Sargent’s is hosting several upcoming events that will fill it.

“It’s a nice way to bring people in the door and help other local businesses, too,” landscape designer and event coordinator Anne Matzek explained.

During the first several months of 2013, the greenhouse will feature everything from a local art show to a salsa tasting to a girls’ day out. The initial event on the schedule is called the Natural Health Expo, and it’s planned for as early as this weekend.

“We’ve invited local health and nutrition and fitness organizations to provide a booth,” Matzek said.

Among those that will be featured at the event are businesses, organizations and individuals whose passion is to promote health, whether through nutritious foods, regular exercise or alternative healing methods.

“We try to create variety for our guests but also try to keep it in that natural spectrum,” Matzek explained. “All these vendors are out there trying to provide new — or more unusual — health care for people.”

Some of the area businesses planning to attend include Simple Abundance, Enhanced Image, Body Kneads Massage & Wellness Center, Simple Soaps for Simple Folks and Essential Chiropractic, among others. Matzek said vendors at the expo will keep visitors engaged with food samples, demonstrations, healing touch sessions and chair massages.

“They’ll show and tell,” she said. “A lot of it is kind of hands on and more than just walking by a table.”

The Red Wing Area Farmers Market, which regularly holds its winter market at Sargent’s from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, will also be part of this weekend’s event. With members offering healthy foods like root vegetables, squash and other locally grown produce, it just made sense for them to participate.

“It’s a good fit for the health expo,” Matzek said of the farmers market.

Riverbend Market Cooperative will have meals available for purchase so visitors can enjoy an entire day at the expo without having to leave for lunch in the middle of it.

This year’s Natural Health Expo is the third in a row Sargent’s has hosted, but Matzek said people who have attended in the past will still have new things to see and do. For starters, they can enter to win door prizes from each vendor at the event. Names will be drawn at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.

Additionally, with health advancements continuing to be made every day, visitors can expect to get information they haven’t heard in the past, even if it’s coming from the same vendors.

“I think there are those out there that are already in tune to the natural health angle and they’re learning more than they ever thought they would,” Matzek said.

Those less familiar with natural health shouldn’t be scared away from the expo, she added. Instead, they may end up discovering a different viewpoint of the less conventional techniques.

“Even though some things feel ‘out there,’ you learn why and how they work.”

If you go…

What: Natural Health Expo

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Jan. 5

Where: Sargent’s Nursery, 3352 N. Service Drive

Cost: Free

More info: 651-388-3847 or www.sargentsnursery.com