Pittsburgh VegFest 2025 is a vegetable-friendly festival that introduces a wide variety of people to the possibility of a cruelty-free lifestyle. What is actually a worldwide festival only came to Pittsburgh in the last 11 years. Whenever the festival first started, it was a place for advocacy against animal-cruelty. But, now Co-Founders Leila Sleiman and Natalie Fristick have built it up to become a community event that lifts up small businesses around Western Pennsylvania.
Where and When is Pittsburgh VegFest 2024?
On August 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at North Side’s Allegheny Commons Park, you can make a difference by supporting a plethora of cruelty-free vendors that also call the city of Pittsburgh home.
Co-Founder of Pittsburgh VegFest, Leila Sleiman speaks highly of the event’s growth. From starting as something that only regularly-involved advocates knew about, to becoming an event that all types of community members look forward to every year, there’s been a lot of change for the better. This 11th year, the growth only continues.
What Can You do at Pittsburgh VegFest 2024?
While you may think that food is the most important and only feature of Pittsburgh VegFest, you would be completely wrong. In fact, there’s a schedule for the entire day that involves healthy activities, fun zones for the kids, and plenty of information for those curious about a cruelty-free lifestyle.
“If I had to pick how to spend the perfect day at VegFest I would take advantage of our VIP hour if you choose, hoard up all your yummy food and grab a juice from our vendors like Shadobeni and 1:11 Juice Stand,” says Sleiman. Then, enjoy the rest of the time with great live musicians, lay out a blanket on the grass, go make a craft, visit the animal nonprofit vendors, and even let your kids play in the bounce house. Really, just make a day of it!”
Pittsburgh VegFest VIP Hour
The VIP hour that Sleiman highlights as a special ticketed experience that includes a Swag Bag tote from East End Food Co-op full of vegan snacks, coupons, goodies, and products from the latest and greatest cruelty-free makers. Some of the brands taking part this year include LesserEvil Snacks, LMNT, Artisan Tropic, Dandies Marshmallows, Closet Rehab, Dr. Bronner’s, That’s it.®, Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods, SunButter, Bruster’s®, and Ceramedx. Plus, you’ll also have exclusive entry an hour before the public to shop the market and pick up any treats you may want throughout the day without the long lines. Any proceeds from these VIP hour tickets go to Pittsburgh VegFest and Misfits Coven Micro-sanctuary for at-risk animals in Washington County.
Beyond What You See Online
At the end of the day, each aspect of Pittsburgh VegFest is focused towards maining a happier and healthier you whether that’s through what you eat, what you do, or your own cruelty-free mindset. Sleiman stresses that while you can find all the slaughterhouse videos and shocking facts online, Pittsburgh VegFest is an encouraging environment that’s going to invite you to try new things and think in a different way.
“People can go and watch these videos online and change their lives,” says Sleiman. “But, they can also come to the festival and try food to realize you don’t have to go vegan or plant based, you can just make better choices for your health that affect the environment less. People don’t realize most of the things they’re eating are already vegan or plant-based. We’re here to show if you make those little changes like leaving cheese off your salad or having a dressing without eggs or milk that it can really make a big difference to your body and the environment.“
This year, some of the festival vendors and organizations showcasing this lifestyle will include Feasty Vegan, Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary, Whisk and Whiskers Bakery, Manduhandu, JerZey Girl Pickles, Evolve Bakeshop, Ruby Flora Plant Shop, and so many others just waiting for you to stop by.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photos Courtesy of Pittsburgh VegFest
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