You may have already heard some rumblings around town about Kingston’s inaugural VegFest kicking off October 22nd at St. Lawrence College – but if you haven’t, read on to learn more about Kingston’s first ever vegan/veg-curious/vegetarian festival.
First, a little background: VegFests are a growing community of festivals that celebrate plant-based living, and have become increasingly popular in recent years as appreciation grows for the environmental and health benefits of a vegan diet. The Kingston VegFest was started in 2016 by the members of the Kingston Vegetarian Network, whom have backgrounds in health promotion, animal advocacy, social justice and community building.
So, what can you expect?
A celebration of vegan food.
The festival will feature a number of cooking demonstrations (including demos by none other than our very own Kingston-by-way-of-France Cecile Wehrell), an eclectic variety of vegan food vendors and restaurateurs, product samples (including cruelty-free beauty products and ethically sourced personal care products) and a few other delights.
A celebration of physical and mental health and well being.
Besides awesome food and products, the festival will feature nutrition and fitness experts (including plant-based athlete and former Kingston Frontenacs alum and Stanley Cup winner Mike Zigomanis) where you can ask questions, educate and empower yourself to lead a healthier, more nutritious lifestyle.
A celebration of connectedness.
Get the chance to discover the vibrant and mushrooming community of others on their plant-fueled journeys, while expanding your awareness of the issues and how our choices impact the planet.
The festival features prominent local and international guest speakers, including a live author panel with:
- Local experts Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka, authors of the prominent book on animal-rights theory, Zoopolis;
- Fiction novelist Robin Lamont, who worked as a private investigator and assistant district attorney before beginning her career as a writer and bringing animal advocacy into the realm of fiction;
- Author Franceen Neufeld, who will discuss how she has supported farmed animal sanctuaries both across North America and internationally while raising awareness through the book Suffering Eyes: A Chronicle of Awakening; and
- Featured speaker and award-winning photojournalist, humane educator, animal rights activist and author Jo-Anne McArthur, known for her We Animals project based on her 2013 book of the same name. Her discussion is on We Animals: Stories of Love and Liberation and is a moving and exciting photographic presentation for people interested in animal rights issues around the globe.
… And enough to keep you busy.
The festival will also feature live entertainment courtesy of Stephanie Braganza, Ian Spotting, Francis Eugene and the Kingston Drum Circle – plus, a silent auction, free massages, a mobile library courtesy of the Kingston Frontenac Library, a booth courtesy of Visit Kingston featuring a local vegan donut maker and much, much more!
Admission and parking is complimentary.
