and accommodate a larger crowd
By Kate Bartlett
Come out and celebrate healthy living at the 9th annual WNY VegFest the first weekend Sunday, August 6 from 12-6pm. Join the exploration and celebration of a plant-based lifestyle with vegan food, vendors, drinks, yoga, renown speakers, animal sanctuaries, cooking demos and kid-friendly activities. The event is free, and open to all.
VegFest WNY is a volunteer based 501(c)3 nonprofit that has been promoting and celebrating a vegan/plant based lifestyle since 2013. Their work is dedicated to educating, inspiring, and encouraging a vegan diet for improving health, expanding compassion and taking greater care of our environment. The community has enthusiastically embraced this message as thousands gather to support and attend every year.
This year the festival is expanding to a new location at Johnnie B Wiley Sports Pavilion, the original Buffalo Bills Stadium. This location, known as ‘The Old Rock Pile’ to many Bills fans, will allow capacity for more food vendors and accommodate a larger crowd. “We’re excited to be collaborating with this new community-oriented venue. Johnnie B Wiley Sports Pavilion is very focused on promoting a healthy lifestyle and specializes in youth sports programs. It’s a great fit for VegFest.”
“We try to make things bigger and better every year, while addressing the needs of our vendors and attendees” says Sara DeLano, Co-Founder and VegFest coordinator. Sara and the VegFest committee work tirelessly to bring in food vendors from around the country, as well as inspirational speakers on healthy living and sustainability.
Vendors include local favorite Buffalo Plant Burger with chef Rhonda Wells serving up her famous Vegan BBQ Ribs and Soul food , acclaimed Strong Hearts offering Vegan Comfort foods to enjoy on site or in prepackaged to-go meals. Over 40 vendors have registered from all over the country to bring their foods to the WNY community including Southern Fried Vegan, Oh My Cod, and Sundae Vegan Desserts Ice Cream Truck.
The Festival also features a Kids Space with free family-fun activities and live cooking demonstrations. “The demos provide a great opportunity for the crowd to learn about vegan cooking, along with it’s many benefits. They’re purposely directed towards new vegans and those looking to learn about a more sustainable lifestyle, and sample some delicious treats.”
This year’s speakers include a wide range of healthy living advocates. Elizabeth Kovacs will be presenting a vegan cooking demo using a Salad Master product. DeChantell Lloyd will be discussing snack options as a new vegan herself. Oboseoye Ojeaga will be presenting a vegan cooking demonstration. Capucine Philson will be discussing the health benefits of using and cooking with purified water. Yoga classes will be hosted by Christian Smith, aka Uncle Hefne, and Shaivasana at different points throughout the day.
“Bringing everyone together is really the main event,” says Sara. “The positive energy spills over for weeks, even months to come. It provides everyone the opportunity to make new connections, gain inspiration and motivation to move towards a more sustainable lifestyle.”
WNY has seen a surge in the interest of health, sustainability and plant-based living over the past decade. Since it’s inception in 2014, the festival has grown from 30 Vendors in Delaware Park to over 50 vendors and an impressive crowd of 8,000-10,000 attendees. Vendors travel from as far as South Carolina and California to participate in the event as it has become one of the largest healthy lifestyle festivals in the region.
The region is evolving with the times as we learn more about the many benefits of adopting a plant-based lifestyle. The benefits of a vegan lifestyle go far beyond just personal health. Not only is eating plants the healthiest and most sustainable for our bodies, but it’s the most sustainable option for our earth as well. We’re learning more about the environmental impact and even cost benefits of going plant-based. And don’t forget the animals! The area has become more ‘Veg-friendly’ as most local restaurants offer vegan options in addition to vegetarian choices.