The Cleveland VegFest, a free event hosted by the Cleveland Vegan Society, returns this summer. And even folks who aren’t vegetarian or vegan can find something to enjoy.
Come June 3, expect to find more than 20 vegan food vendors, ranging from Chapati’s healthy Indian food to Garden of Flavor’s cold-pressed juices, at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Larger restaurants like Aladdin’s and Barrio plan to attend, as well as locally owned businesses like Helio Terra Vegan Cafe and Urban Sweetness.
To satisfy the sweet tooth, there are also a handful of vegan bakers expected at VegFest, including The Sweet Spot, a Cleveland gelato shop, and Poison Berry Bakery, a vegan bakery based in Cleveland Heights.
Though food is a big part of being vegan, this event isn’t all just vegetables. VegFest also provides an opportunity for spectators to hear presenters who focus on different aspects of a vegan lifestyle, as well as watch several food demonstrations that showcase vegan dishes.
Speaker Brenda Sanders, who believes in the power of veganism as a means to social reform, is set to present on her work as a food and social justice activist in Baltimore.
“I think our biggest strength is that we really want to live our lives in such a way that lines up with our ethics. We recognize how wrong it is to victimize and exploit the vulnerable and we’ve committed to living our lives in a way that doesn’t contribute to all that needless suffering,” Sanders told the Vegan Street Blog.
In addition to speakers and food, VegFest offers live music, a film screening room and a children’s activity area. Though the event is free, small donations are accepted. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m..
This article appears in May 17-23, 2017.
When I read this, I was like, is this going to be a nice celebration of people that are Vegan due to allergies or preference, or all the nut jobs on their holier than thou crusade? Then I saw this quote:
“We recognize how wrong it is to victimize and exploit the vulnerable and we’ve committed to living our lives in a way that doesn’t contribute to all that needless suffering.”
Perfect. So this is a celebration by the nutjobs. I’ll take my dollars elsewhere and celebrate with people that don’t judge me for what a choose to eat. Or maybe I should go there wearing a steak suit just to piss people off. Hmmm…… Leaning towards the steak suit, not gonna lie.
If you feel it is a human ‘s right to torture defenseless animals so that you can have a steak or some wings or a fur coat and leather belt then this certainly is not the place for you. Funny you used the term ” not job “. Our beliefs are based on facts. You immediately resorted to a child’s insult. So self consumed and arrogant that horrific suffering , raping the earth , depleting resources and ruining the climate is A Ok with you. But , we are the nut jobs. Nobody in this group has ever judged you. Yet you have insulted people’s beliefs and lifestyles. If you weren’t so pompous , you’d see this was a way to educate. We all need to be open to continual education. This is OUR world. Shane on you for classifying a group of strong , intelligent , compassionate , hardworking people as ” nut jobs ” Go vegan and nobody gets hurt.
In my numerous experiences with Vegans, I have learned one thing. They don’t care about how you feel about humane killing, recycling, climate change, managing our planet’s resources, or anything else. They are so absorbed in their own assumed correct beliefs and lifestyle that anyone different to them is shamed, looked down upon, and condemned, regardless if they are correct in that assumption or not. So congratulations, your community that feels so high and mighty are reaping what they have sown.
I stand by my original comments, and would like to double down. Anyone who feels that there is no way for an animal to be killed properly and humanely so they can be consumed is not only a nutjob, but also a moron. I don’t support an organization that tortures animals as strongly as I oppose the people that think by killing any animal in any way you are torturing them. The saddest part is you think by going vegan no one gets hurt, when it’s only people that you actually hurt. But hey, no animals are hurt when that happens, and isn’t that all that counts?