{"id":49575,"date":"2019-07-29T11:47:59","date_gmt":"2019-07-29T16:47:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/?p=49575"},"modified":"2019-10-08T13:09:02","modified_gmt":"2019-10-08T18:09:02","slug":"veggie-fest-delivers-plant-based-food-and-family-friendly-fun-to-the-chicagoland-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/veggie-fest-delivers-plant-based-food-and-family-friendly-fun-to-the-chicagoland-area\/","title":{"rendered":"The Veggie Fest in Chicago Delivers Plant-Based Food & Family Fun"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Veggie Fest in Chicago has two goals in mind: sustainability in the environment and serving the community. Blending mouthwatering vegetarian and vegan food, cooking demonstrations, celebrity talks, a kids area, yoga, and meditation, <\/span>Veggie Fest 2019<\/span><\/a> is making a difference in the Chicagoland area this August.<\/span><\/p>\n

Veggie Fest<\/span><\/a> is a collaborative effort between Science of Spirituality, community sponsors, and plant-based dieters throughout Chicago. Held in Danada South Park in Lisle, IL, on August 10 – 11, the goal of Veggie Fest is to provide awareness for non-violence, health, and vegetarian wellness, and construct a free outdoor festival for all to enjoy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Veggie Fest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Veggie Fest in Chicago is inclusive of everyone, even those who don\u2019t participate in plant-based eating, to make this free family-friendly festival a celebration of the joy, science, food, and compassion that accompanies a vegetarian lifestyle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alongside the international food court and acclaimed vegetarian chefs, the Veggie Fest in Chicago will also consist of\u00a0<\/span>speeches from doctors and celebrities on the importance of health and wellness. Veggie Fest also incorporates other aspects of wellness, like yoga and meditation, as well as live music, which everyone knows is good for the soul.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Live Music<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many of the <\/span>live musicians<\/span><\/a> asked to join in on Veggie Fest in Chicago also follow a plant-based regimen and all support environmental conservation. Peep the lineup below so you don\u2019t miss your favorite bands!<\/span><\/p>\n

Saturday, August 10<\/b><\/p>\n

Zach \u2013 11:00AM \u2013 Noon<\/span>
\n<\/span>Deacon Blues \u2013 Noon \u2013 2:30 PM<\/span>
\n<\/span>Brother John \u2013 3:30 PM \u2013 5:30PM<\/span>
\n<\/span>Gizzae \u2013 6:00 PM \u2013 8:00 PM<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, August 11<\/b><\/p>\n

Zach \u2013 11:00 AM \u2013 Noon<\/span>
\n<\/span>Afinca\u2019o \u2013 Noon \u2013 2:30 PM<\/span>
\n<\/span>Gizzae \u2013 3:30 PM \u2013 5:30 PM<\/span>
\n<\/span>V. Holmes\u2019 \u201cA Tribute to the Motown Greats\u201d \u2013 6:00 PM \u2013 8:00 PM<\/span><\/p>\n

Distinguished Speakers<\/span><\/h3>\n

Prominent Veggie Fest <\/span>speakers<\/span><\/a> include Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, head of Science of Spirituality, and Terry Mason, M.D., COO of the Cook County Health Department, among many others. These expert health and education professionals will present talks on diet, lifestyle, meditation, and environmental issues at three locations throughout the festival, giving you better insight on what\u2019s healthy in today\u2019s world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Veggie Fest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Food Demos<\/span><\/h3>\n

Get ready to eat your way to a better lifestyle at the Veggie Fest in Chicago, as nationally recognized chefs present vegetarian <\/span>cooking demonstrations<\/span><\/a> and other food talks that you can imitate once you\u2019re home. Representatives from Nature\u2019s Path Organic and Manna Kitchen are among these guest chefs, as well as Marla Rose from VeganMania and The Vegan Roadie\u2019s Dustin Harder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Food Court<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Famous International Food Court<\/span><\/a> is really where it\u2019s at, though. Over 29 food vendors are dishing out vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals from around the world, so all that talk of amazing food won\u2019t go unsatisfied.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re eager to try the festival\u2019s new inclusion of Jackfruit Tacos or you\u2019re craving that gluten-free Samurai Buddha Bowl you had last year, the food court has it all. Many international foods are inclusive of vegetarian lifestyle, so you can find the likes of Indian, Caribbean, Indonesian, Chinese, and more global dishes at the festival. And if it gets a little too hot outside, go straight for that vegan and gluten-free Tropical Twist smoothie. We know we will.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Veggie Fest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Family Fun<\/span><\/h3>\n

You can absolutely bring your chilluns to this event, as Veggie Fest is jam-packed with activities just for kids at the <\/span>Children\u2019s Tent<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • Face Painting: Children ages 2-12 can get a fruit, vegetable, or other design painted on their face or hand. They only use high-quality, non-toxic face paint.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Crafts: Help your children with all sorts of interactive and fun crafts that provide information on the vegetarian diet.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Games: They have Balloons, Bubbles, Origami, Beading, and Giant Board Games for children of all ages. Sounds like a great time to us!<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Photo Booth: Picture opportunity in a veggie-friendly setting. Take your child\u2019s picture with some cute props and backgrounds.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Music and Plays: Enjoy professional performers on the Children\u2019s Tent Stage!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    The Vegi-Kids Parade encourages children from ages 0 – 16 to dress up like their favorite animal (or vegetable) and walk the parade route to participate in a costume content! Cool gifts will be awarded to everyone in the parade, but the winner of the costume contest has an awesome prize in store for them. No worries if you didn\u2019t have time to dress them up; Veggie Fest provides handmade puppets and masks for kids without costumes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    You can also enjoy yoga for families, held at 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday at the Yoga Tent and taught by trained professionals. Meditation training at the Learn to Meditate for Families Tent is where your kids can learn concentration and focus through fun activities. You can even join in to start the process of meditating as a family at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Photo Credit: Veggie Fest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Art Show<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Whether you\u2019re a natural artist or just enjoy creative works, the Veggie Fest Art Show showcases works of art in the themes of Vegetarian Diet, Non-Violence, Love for Animals, or Meditation. Only one winner will be selected as the featured work of Veggie Fest 2020. While the submission date is now closed, you can stop by the art show at the festival and find inspiration for next year\u2019s event.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Festival Info<\/span><\/h3>\n

    When: August 10 – 11 | 11 am – 8 pm<\/span><\/p>\n

    Where: Danada South Park, 2701 Navistar Circle, Lisle, IL 60532<\/span><\/p>\n

    Tickets: No need! This festival is FREE and open to the public. Let Veggie Fest know you\u2019re coming by <\/span>registering<\/span><\/a> for the event online!<\/span><\/p>\n

    Food: Tickets will be available for purchase for just $1, and you can get as many as you want to enjoy bites to eat at the festival!<\/span><\/p>\n

    Parking: FREE and available at Navistar, 2701 Navistar Circle, Lisle, IL 60532.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    If you\u2019re considering the possibility of pursuing a plant-based lifestyle, Veggie Fest makes it easy to dip your toes in with their <\/span>Learn to Be a Vegetarian Challenge<\/span><\/a> on their website! <\/span>Sign right up<\/span><\/a> to get free emails for two weeks with easy recipes, daily inspiration, and other helpful tips.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Still have some questions? <\/span>Veggie Fest<\/span><\/a> has all the answers.<\/span><\/p>\n

    In the meantime, check out last year\u2019s video to get a glimpse of what you can expect at Veggie Fest!<\/span><\/p>\n