Spa Feast

International Water Tasting

Washington Bathtub Celebration

Spa Feast 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  January 13, 2008
PRESS CONTACT ONLY: Jeanne Mozier 304-258-4248
www.berkeleysprings.com/spas
PHOTOS AVAILABLE -- email Jeanne Mozier - star@starwv.com

HISTORIC SPA CAPITAL STAGES A PAMPERING FEAST

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV --  Berkeley Springs, a centuries-old health resort and the present-day Spa Capital of West Virginia, stages a free sampling of its more than 50 bodywork and health-enhancing treatments at the 18th annual Spa Feast Saturday morning fair on January 26 from 10am to 1pm at the Country Inn at Berkeley Springs.  Spa Feast is the first major weekend of Berkeley Springs' three-month Winter Festival of the Waters.

The three-hour fair showcases an array of health-giving therapies ranging from Lomi Lomi and Russian massage to foot reflexology, acupuncture, facials and pedicures.   Information booths provide samples of homeopathic remedies, locally made herbal oils and healthy treats that taste good.  Shop owners and professional staff are on hand to talk about special diets and holistic treatment for pets. There are demonstrations as well as diagnostic tests from War Memorial Hospital. Highlighting National Yoga Day, local teachers present demonstrations and mini-classes throughout the morning. Door prizes, including massages and other treatments, and health and beauty products are given away every half hour.

Atasia Spa debuts its new line of mineral cosmetics designed by Hollywood make-up artist and skin cancer survivor Susan Posnick with natural sun blocks. Three people an hour will receive a free application.

The Spa Feast welcomes the new Colonial Springs Spa that is part of Berkeley Springs Inn/Best Western. Designed with a down-home country style decor, Colonial offers a full-line of body and skin services including massages, facials, pedicures and manicures by licensed professionals. Specialty treatments are a hot stone facial that places two large heated stones under the shoulders during the facial and a stone pedicure with little hot stones between the toes and larger stones used to massage the calves. "We wanted to offer a treatment that was not being done in town," said Tanya Martz, spa manager. Another special feature offered by Colonial are in-room massages at the adjacent inn. "Our guests wanted something nearby," said Larry Omps, owner of the Berkeley Springs Inn. "We see this as complimenting our lodging." Colonial Spa is offering sample massages at the Spa Feast.

" It's exciting to have six spas in town along with all the individual practitioners," said Laura Smith, Travel Berkeley Springs' administrator. "We heard there were more lawyers opening offices so to keep our famous claim of three times as many massage therapists as lawyers in town, we needed a new spa."

Spa Feast expands beyond the Saturday morning fair to a weekend of special spa-related activities including spa treatment packages, healthy specials at local restaurants and sale prices on spa and health items at several downtown shops. Seekers of health and stress relief are urged to experience in-depth versions of the samples at the spa fair and plan a two-day adventure picking and choosing among the town's spas and other practitioners. Soaking in heated mineral springs water in the 1815 Roman Bath House in Berkeley Springs State Park proves to weary winter travelers that warm water is closer then they think.

For more than 250 years, visitors to the area have followed in the path of Native Americans who soaked in the warm mineral waters from time immemorial. George Washington was the beginning of a parade of notables that made Berkeley Springs the destination of choice during a series of spa Golden Ages.  Historic visitors would be astonished at the range of treatments -- and the facilities that house them -- now sharing center stage with traditional soaks in the warm mineral springs that still flow unabated in the center of town. Berkeley Springs easily translates its history as America?s first spa into its future as the premier spa town of the 21st century.

Information on the Saturday morning fair, Spa Feast specials and great lodging/spa packages is detailed on Travel Berkeley Springs award- winning Website at www.berkeleysprings.com. or call 1-800-447-8797, and ask for a Winter Festival of the Waters calendar covering events in January through March.                               

A SAMPLING OF SPA FEAST FAIR PARTICIPANTS
~ AnimaliA Veterinary Care -- Holistic approach to pets, including homeopathy, acupuncture and nutritional counseling; also conventional medicine.

~ Atasia Spa  -- Thai, therapeutic and Lomi Lomi massage; wraps and scrubs as well as pedicures, facials and manicures. Whirlpool tubs, steamroom and sauna.

~ Awakenings Health Center -- Reflexology, acupuncture with Dr. Lin Wang, massage, Aqua-Chi foot bath, classes and more.

~ Bath House Day Spa & Shop-- Couples, Thai Yoga and Russian massage; Thai body wrap and coffee scrubs.  Bath-related shop offers natural organic products.

~ BeautiControl -- Skin care, make-up classes and in-home spa escapes. Full line of make-up and skin care products as well as bath & body products.

~ Berkeley Springs State Park -- Historic Roman Baths, steam treatments, Swedish massage.

~ Colonial Springs Spa -- Couples & therapeutic massage; hot stone pedicures and facials, Baltic mud wrap; manicures.

~ Community Garden Market -- Organic food and other holistic health products.

~ The Country Inn at Berkeley Springs ~ Five Senses Spa -- Therapeutic massage, pedicures, manicures, European facials and body waxing.  Two-person whirlpools.  

~ Have Table Will Travel -- Therapeutic, pre-natal and post-partum massage with Samantha Redston.

~ Homeopathy Works -- The world's only combination manufactory, museum and retail outlet of homeopathic medicine.

~ Sage Moon Herb Shop --Herbs and teas, essential oils, natural body care, books, crafts, jewelry and more. 

~ Tamme Marggraf -- Acupuncture and vibrational medicine.  Realign with nature to promote ease in the body/mind/spirit.

~ Peggy Carey -- Young Living Ambassador/Wellness Consultant. Chemical-free personal care products, massage oil, essential oil/herb enhanced nutritional supplements, rejuvenating antioxidant juice, and anti-aging skin restoration formula.

~ War Memorial Hospital -- Full service hospital and emergency room; wellness program and swimming pool.