A celebration promoting body positivity and self-love is coming to Sarnia's waterfront.
The Curvy Beach Party, a free event which aims to create a space for all different types of bodies, is set for Friday afternoon at the beach pavilion and Bandshell in Canatara Park.
Organizer Danielle Catton said every body type, especially marginalized ones, deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin and enjoy themselves on the beach free from shame and judgement.
"I can tell you from this event that I've had multiple people tell me that they've never stepped foot on the beach, they've never bought a bathing suit and that many people are buying their first bathing suit for this party," said Catton. "Every year around April and May you start to see those messages about getting a beach body and getting beach body ready -- this event is trying to flip that and say every body is a beach body."
Catton said she got the idea for the beach party from an episode of the TV show Shrill where the main character, Aidy Bryant, attends a plus-sized pool party.
Catton, who is the founder of Sarnia Speaks, said since she announced the event earlier this month, she's had people RSVP from all around Sarnia, up to Toronto and even across the border in the US.
"Originally the idea was to just host a smaller gathering at the pavilion area -- I honestly thought maybe we would have a couple dozen people come and it would just be a fun little gathering for like-minded people. But when I put the event out there and started promoting it, we had reserved 200 tickets within 36 hours," said Catton. "I think it's really important that we try to shift the messaging around self-image and self-love so that people, regardless of how they show up and regardless of where they come from and what they look like, can participate in things just like anybody else can."
Catton said while the event is free, donations will be accepted which will benefit Bluewater Health Foundation, specifically the Eating Disorder Outreach Program at the Sarnia hospital.
Curvy Beach Party goes August 16 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Those planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP to the party's Eventbrite page.
- List of attractions at Curvy Beach Party:
- Tunes by DJ Diskreet
- Sand and sun
- 'Real' fashion show (anybody can walk!)
- Body painting by The Painted Cat
- Professional photographer on hand
- Selfie stations
- Group beach photo
- Special guest speakers
- Confidence and self love workshops
- Lots more!