This fall festival in east Madison is 100% vegan and has over 50 Wisconsin vendors

Since 2011, Madison's pop-up vegan festival has grown and evolved.

The first iteration took place at the Goodman Community Center and expanded in the subsequent years to larger indoor venues like the Alliant Energy Center and Madison College. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event moved outside and now attracts 3,000 to 4,000 attendees annually, both vegan and non-vegan alike, said festival volunteer coordinator Andrea Ebben.

Next month, Madison Vegan Fest returns for its 11th year at Lake Farm County Park on the city's southeast side. The festival's mission is to "bring people together to enjoy delicious vegan food, hear from engaging speakers, and explore ways to live more compassionately and sustainably," the fest website states . Admission is free.

About 20 Midwest-based food vendors will offer a variety of 100% vegan food, including savory options and desserts. Attendees can also check out vendor booths from local artists, educational tabling from wellness brands and animal sanctuaries, and speeches from vegan activists and influencers.

Ebben, who's been vegan for about seven years, said Madison and its restaurant and grocery store scene are "plant-based friendly" and supportive of vegans. She hopes to communicate this attitude to festival-goers, especially non-vegans curious about following an animal product-free diet.

She wants people to know that veganism "can be a stark contrast to a prior way of life, but it's getting easier," she said. "There are a lot of options out there, and there is a community out there that can help you make a transition if that's a goal of yours."

Here's what to know about Madison Vegan Fest 2024.

When is Madison Vegan Fest?

Madison Vegan Fest is on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where is Madison Vegan Fest?

Madison Vegan Fest is held at William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park , 4331 Libby Road, Madison. The park is on the city's southeast side in the Capital Springs Recreation Area on the shore of Lake Waubesa. There will be directional signs as you approach the event location.

Cyclists can access the park from downtown Madison via the Lower Yahara River Trail . The outdoor event will occur rain or shine.

Madison Vegan Fest has around 20 local food vendors

About 20 Wisconsin- and Illinois-based vendors will offer a diverse lineup of vegan food for purchase, and fest-goers can enjoy free samples at the sample tent. Everything at the event is 100% vegan, meaning it was not tested on animals and contains no animal products: flesh, fat, broth, gelatin, egg, dairy or honey. Numerous vendors will offer gluten-friendly and certified gluten-free options.

A few Milwaukee vendors will even have tables, including plant-based restaurant and catering company JustVeggiez , lavender lemonade maker Fit4YouMKE , pop-up bakery Moon Cherry Sweets and vegan doughnut maker AFMG Cafe .

"There's a good variety of types of food, like, we'll have burgers and pizza and some healthier food choices too, and a couple of beverage options," Ebben said. "We have some great baked goods, lots of good sweets and then one place specifically just for ice cream."

You can find a complete list of food vendors, including menus, on the festival website .

Madison Vegan Fest speakers and activities

In addition to ample shopping opportunities, Madison Vegan Fest will have a children's area with bubbles and a playground. The event is family- and pet-friendly.

Local artists Brass Knuckles , a Madison-based brass ensemble; Vacant Church , an indie-rock band, and Blue Flyers will perform live music throughout the festival.

At least 30 non-food vendors will sell vegan accessories, candles, art, wellness products, cosmetics and more. Multiple farm animal sanctuaries will present tabling about their work and volunteer opportunities. You can find a full list of vendors and organizations online .

Attendees can also check out the "Ask A Vegan" table, where anyone with questions or curiosity about the vegan lifestyle can ask someone who follows it, Ebben said.

Additionally, the festival is hosting an all-day lineup of educational speakers :

• John Oberg (keynote speaker), 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. ― Oberg is a full-time animal advocate who creates animal rights content on social media. He will give a talk titled "Creating a Kinder World for Animals." Oberg previously served as director of new media for The Humane League and as director of communications for Vegan Outreach. He's made over 100 media appearances and has over 250,000 social media followers.
• Thomas Goodman, 1:15 - 2:15 p.m. ― Goodman is the president of Plant Dining Partnerships. He will give a talk titled "Speaking Up for Animals with your Wallet."
• Cole Adam , time TBD ― Adam is a vegan registered dietitian and Madison native. He will give a talk titled "How to Thrive on a Vegan Diet."
• Dino Sarma-Weierman, time TBD ― Sarma-Weierman is the author of the cookbook "Alternative Vegan." He has worked as a chef and has been vegan since 2005. He will deliver a talk titled "Cooking for Omnivores - Holiday Edition."
• Dr. Aaron Yarmel , time TBD ― Yarmel is the associate director of the Center for Ethics and Human Values at the Ohio State University. He has been vegan for 13 years and will deliver a talk titled "Difficult Conversations," where he will discuss navigating conversations with people you disagree with.

Festival parking and downtown shuttle

The festival has free and accessible parking. The event will also offer a free shuttle from downtown Madison, with stops at the Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St., and at 23 N. Pinckney St. near the State Capitol building. The first shuttle will pick up at the Union around 10:45 a.m., and shuttles will run throughout the day. The last shuttle leaves the festival grounds at 5 p.m.

The event is also accessible by city bus and bike path; learn more on the festival's transportation page .

Learn more about Madison Vegan Fest

For more information and updates about Madison Vegan Fest, visit the festival's Facebook page and its website: madisonveganfest.org .

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: This fall festival in east Madison is 100% vegan and has over 50 Wisconsin vendors