After 13 years of offering an alternative approach to medicine and healing, the Turlock Intuition and Holistic Expo has grown to be one the area's largest church-sponsored events, drawing in hundreds each year.

The free expo, put on by the Spiritual Church of Turlock, offers a variety of products and services for guests including holistic healers, homemade soaps and bath salts, incense and candles, tarot card readers, chakra healers, unique jewelry and an assortment of hand crafted items.

According to Rev. Gaylene Cornell of the Spiritual Church of Turlock, the expo has grown so much over the past few years that the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds is the only location that can still accommodate the annual event.

“At the last event we probably had around 700 people,” said Cornell. “When we first started 13 years ago, it was a very small event. Over the years, we’ve grown so much that the fairgrounds is the only place with a building large enough to support us in this area.”

Although the Intuition and Holistic Expo offers alternative methods to healing,  Cornell says it is not attempting to take away from traditional medicine but rather offer people different options.

“We just offer different views and alternatives,” said Cornell. “This is a place where you can expand your mind and find guidance on your path to enlightenment and good health.”

The expo will also feature an animal adoption agency in an effort to find new homes for rescued animals.  During the most recent expo, five dogs were adopted through the Wags and Whiskers animal rescue group.

“Here, you can interact with the wonderful people that bring you all different aspects of spirituality, environmentally-friendly products, and holistic alternatives,” said Cornell. “We’ll have close to 60 different vendors who have years of experience.”

The Turlock Intuition and Holistic Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds E-2 building located at 900 N. Broadway. The event is free and open to the public.