NELSON — On Sept. 9, licensed massage therapist, intuitive healer, and spiritual medium Laura Riposo-Hackney will host the second Nelson Psychic & Wellness Fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at “Mike’s Pond,” 3733 Old State Rd., Erieville.
The family-friendly event is expected to include psychics, mediums, Reiki practitioners, astrologers, henna tattoo artists, aura readers, bodywork practitioners, and tarot readers; crystals, artwork, and healing/spirituality products; and food and beverage vendors. There will also be a variety of classes and presentations, such as gentle yoga, tiny house tours, an Emotional Freedom Technique tapping session, and an introduction to homeopathy.
Mike’s Pond is a peaceful and healing place for the community to gather to remember loved ones, connect to nature, and enjoy the serenity of the land, pond, meditation garden, and walking trails.
Riposo-Hackney and her family created Mike’s Pond on their property in 2017 in memory of her son Michael Hackney, 26, who lost his life in an accident in 2016.
Michael grew up in Erieville and graduated from Morrisville High School in 2009. He attended Mohawk Valley Community College and was enlisted in the Army National Guard in Syracuse.
According to his family, he was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing, as well as connecting with people from all walks of life and sharing his knowledge and experiences with others.
“Mike’s Pond was built as a way to not only keep Mike’s legacy alive but to also provide a space for the community where there is love and light, a ‘soft place to land’ where people can experience the outdoors in a way that sparks joy within their hearts, just as it did for Michael,” said Nelson Psychic & Wellness Fair Coordinator Julia Liotta.
Michael’s family hosted the first Nelson Psychic & Wellness Fair last September.
“When Michael died, our world crumbled, and I felt as though we were thrown into a bureaucratic system that was missing love and compassion,” said Riposo-Hackney. “For the past 30 years, I have been immersed in a community of spiritual practitioners, teachers, and visionaries. Since Mike and I shared a love of helping and gathering with all types of people, it felt like this event would be the perfect merging of love, healing, and connection to a piece of Heaven on Earth.”
According to Liotta, the inaugural fair was very well attended by patrons and vendors alike.
The event included several intuitive readers, energy healers, jewelry and crystal vendors, live music, and healthy homemade food for sale.
“This year, we are doubling the amount of vendors and hopefully doubling the amount of attendees as well,” she said.
Advance tickets are $8 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under. Each ticket includes a free raffle ticket for door prizes, outdoor yoga, mini classes, and presentations. Payments to reserve tickets in advance are accepted via PayPal: [email protected] or through Venmo: @Mikes-Pond.
A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $12.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Mike Hackney Memorial Fund for Mike’s Pond. The funds will help cover the costs of maintaining the trails, stocking the pond, improving accessibility for visitors, and supporting the free annual Learn to Fish event.
For more information on the fair, visit the “Nelson Psychic & Wellness Fair” Facebook page.
