Last year it was a small, intimate affair. This year, it is going to be a bonanza.
Sally Reese’s second annual Beauty Bonanza will be bigger and better than last year’s event, which brought a select audience of 30 to 40 women to Rotary Park.
This year, Reese decided to make it a full-on community activity by opening it up to the public. No invitation is needed to experience women’s products and services that promote style, self-improvement and success.
“Last year was kind of experimental … I was teaching fitness classes and put together a private event,” Reese said. “I got such great feedback, people told me you can continue with that idea and make it something everyone can enjoy.”
After a career in teaching, Reese committed herself to fitness full time in 1994.
She decided she wanted to share her passion with others, and works as a fitness instructor/personal trainer at Rotary Park, which she absolutely loves.
The idea of the original bonanza sprung from her time as an instructor, and this year will be even better.
Twenty-six vendors and 12 separate presenters have lined up for the event so far, but Reese is still hoping to attract upward of 40-50 vendors, and maybe a few more presenters.
She said there is ample room at Rotary Park, so additional vendors and presenters are welcome. She is allotting between 15 and 30 minutes for each presentation.
“I didn’t realize so many people wanted to present,” Reese said. “Inside the building, it’s backed up … but there’s still room outside to present. I’d like to have presentations going on the whole time, so people can constantly be engaged and learning.”
Food, free parking, free admission and raffle drawings also will be part of the festivities.
All proceeds from the raffle drawings go to benefit ACT, the Abuse Counseling and Treatment shelter for women in Fort Myers.
Reese said the event’s draw is the opportunity to learn about health and success. Plus, it is free, something that cannot be ignored in sour economic times.
“In this challenging economy, it’s an event you can come to and celebrate and have fun for free,” she said. “There’s no admission, you can have a great time and listen to great speakers.”
Interested vendors are encouraged to contact Reese first at 895-3050 before calling Rotary Park.
Reese wants to be careful not to “double up” on vendors, as to offer attendees the widest possible variety at the event.
Registration is first-come, first-serve. Rotary Park can be reached at 549-4606.