FIFTH ANNUAL VEGFEST RETURNS AUG. 13
“We’ll have over 50 vendors and there will be things you can buy for your house and cosmetics and things you can eat. We’re trying to showcase how easy and accessible being vegan can be.”
Phoenixville’s annual VegFest will be making its return after a two-year break due to the pandemic.
Happening on Saturday, Aug. 13, the vegan food festival, featuring live music and vendors, will take place at Reeves Park.
“The event is about creating awareness about veganism and animal welfare,” said Rachel Black, the Fest’s organizer.
Black, who gets paid a stipend for her role, was initially looking for a local volunteer opportunity when she came across the opportunity.
“I used to work in animal welfare nonprofits and then switched careers to teaching,” she said, adding she is an elementary art teacher. “I wanted to maintain those connections when I was switching careers — animals are a huge passion of mine.”
Their last Fest in 2019, saw 8,000 visitors come out to the shaded park that offers convenient, free parking. Black expects the same turnout this year.
“We’ll have over 50 vendors and there will be things you can buy for your house and cosmetics and things you can eat,” she said. “We’re trying to showcase how easy and accessible being vegan can be.”
Peace Advocacy Network
The Fest benefits Peace Advocacy Network (PAN) and helps share its mission with the community. It also helps bring awareness to their free programming, such as their Vegan Pledge Program, their Vegan Activist Academy and ongoing programming that is open to anyone.
“PAN promotes a peaceful existence through veganism, social justice, and respect for the earth’s inhabitants and resources,” said Deanna Meyler, PAN’s executive director.
Black, a single mom of a 2-yearold daughter who lives in Exton, became a vegetarian when she was a child and went vegan in 2014.
“We have a vegan household,” Black said.
Black said the VegFest is an opportunity for her to be with her tribe.
“These people care as much as I do about this cause,” she said. “It’s so much fun.”
Vegan food offerings
The biggest draw of the Fest is the vegan food offerings.
“We have The Greyhound Cafe coming from Malvern that does wings, cheesesteaks and empanadas, and Vegan Treats is a vegan bakery in Bethlehem that has a cult following,” Black said. “Love Again Local from West Chester will have sandwiches and sides.”
Vendors will offer items such as teas, tonics and tinctures by My Herbal Apothecary from Pequea.
“We’ll have T-shirts for sale by White Muck from New Hampshire, which does hand screen printed art on shirts — they are all vegan in their processes and the shirts have vegan messages and animal imagery on them,” she said. “Helen Ethel Jewelry from Phoenixville will sell jewelry made of recycled metals and responsibly sourced gemstones.”
Three bands are lined up to play live music on stage in addition to more activities for the whole family.
“We’ll have a bounce house for kids and a face painter,” Black said.
PAN will have a booth set up at the event.
“A lot of nonprofits come, so stop by their booth to learn more about veganism,” she said.
Attendees of the Fest can learn about PAN’s local workshop that teaches you how to be vegan.
“It’s their biggest program,” she said.
As for Black’s journey to veganism, her compassion for animals was brought to light when she was in college and watched a documentary called Food Inc., which centers on factory farming.
“When I learned about the process of industrial farming in America and how animal products are made, I decided I didn’t want to be a part of it and that was it,” Black said. “The things I learned about industrial farming I couldn’t believe what I was learning.”
PHOENIXVILLE VEGFEST » VegFest is a vegan food and street festival with live music and vendors. The sixth annual VegFest will take place on Aug. 13, 2022, from 12 pm — 5 pm at Reeves Park in Phoenixville, PA. Reeves Park is located between 2nd and 3rd ave and between Main and Starr St. The street address is 401 Main St. Phoenixville. This event benefits the Peace Advocacy Network (PAN). It is an important fundraiser to help PAN continue its mission and keep all programming free. Information about PAN’s mission and programs can be found here: www.peaceadvocacynetwork.org
30-DAY VEGAN PLEDGE PROGRAM » PAN offers a free, in-person 30day Vegan Pledge Program in Phoenixville and Bala Cynwyd, as well as other initiatives in the area that support our mission. Their 30-day Vegan Pledge Program provides the support and tools to go vegan with cooking demonstrations, personal mentors, time with a vegan Registered Dietitian or doctor, coupons, cookbooks, and discussions on how to live in a non-vegan world and more. For more information: www.peaceadvocacynetwork.org
VEGFEST RESTAURANT WEEK » A Phoenixville VegFest Restaurant Week will lead up to and during the VegFest. More information can be found here:www.peaceadvocacynetwork.org/events/phoenixville-vegfest-restaurant-week/