A NEW festival ditching alcohol in favour of fitness, yoga and “mindfulness” is coming to Southend’s Garon Park this summer.

Organisers behind “Mani Fest 2024” have announced the festival will come to Southend for three days in July with a packed schedule of live music, martial art classes, yoga and much more.

The event, put together by Canvey-based Yoga Wild Retreats, is restricting alcohol to try to prove to people they “can live better and healthier”, only opening the bars later in the evening following a full day of wellness.

Yoga Wild Retreats founder and Mani Fest organiser, Lisa Shrubb, 44, said: “We want to get the people south Essex together. This is a big group healing event and we really wanted to do something in our hometown.

“We wanted to do something in Southend to bring good vibes back to the city, we want to show people there is another way.

“We have had people join us after giving up alcohol and even if we can help a handful of people, it is good enough.”

The event will see a mix of family and adult classes for yoga and boxing, as well as child specific arts and crafts events and gardening workshops based on tree planting.

Lisa added: “We want things that adults can do with the kids for bonding, but we do have a yoga tent for adult classes and a chill-out tent and baths.

“We will also be bringing in Caribbean and Mexican street food and local brewery, Black Box, though we tend not to have alcohol.

“We will be making sure the bar doesn’t open until late to keep it to a limit, this is about wellness, you don’t need to drink to have a good time and you can do activities before you have the party.”

Lisa added that seeing how badly musicians struggled with depression and a loss of opportunity following the pandemic has inspired her to promote Southend musicians at the event.

“Music is healing, and we have been working with great people We have announced headline events and everyone is from Leigh, Westcliff and Southend,” she said.

Mani Fest is set to come to Garon Park from Friday July 12 to Sunday, July 14.

Visit eventbrite.com/e/manifest-2024-tickets-772137101857