Vegan Vibes is an opportunity for members of the community – vegans and non-vegans alike – to check out (and learn about) plant-based foods, beverages and merchandise and enjoy some live entertainment in the process.
Sugar High Bakery & Café owner, Amber Weiss, suggested having a vegan-centric event earlier this year during a conversation with Big Daddy’s 618 owner Scott Schmelzel, and Bennie Parr of Bennie’s Pizza Pub.
The trio were discussing new ideas to promote business in downtown Belleville, said Schmelzel.
They talked about what the event would be and when, going over some options for the year. It then came up that November is World Vegan Month, and they settled on a date.
“I took the ball and ran with it,” said Schmelzel, who is a pro at organizing downtown events and getting the word out.
He’s had a hand in helping to promote previous events that include the St. Patrick’s Day Block Party and multiple themed pub crawls (including a Halloween pub crawl on Oct. 26), among others.
This new event will include vegan and vegetarian fare as well as drinks and live entertainment.
Look for the Vegan Vibes event flyers – with QR code – at different downtown businesses. Jennifer Green/jgreen@bnd.com
What to expect
While not a vegan herself, Weiss often cooks veg fare for her friends, including her best friend, Tim Halpert, and his wife, who are longtime vegans.
Halpert – dubbed “The Vegan Expert” by Schmelzel – was brought on board to help with the details for the upcoming plant-based event.
If you don’t know the vegan culture, you’re gonna make mistakes, said Weiss.
She and Schmelzel met with Halpert for weeks to get the event together. Schmelzel said they feel this first-year event will go well and teach them what they can do to make it even better next year. (I love the optimism shown here.)
Halpert previously helped Weiss develop vegan, or plant-based, recipes for Sugar High, including some breakfast items, pastries, beverages and sushi, which was added to the menu in June . (For the record, the vegan California roll is fantastic!)
In addition to working on Sugar High’s new food offerings for the event, Halpert will be in the kitchen at Big Daddy’s making vegan sloppy joe sliders – such a Big Daddy’s kind of thing to have, said Schmelzel. The sliders will be served with chips in the courtyard, which Schmelzel will open up for some of the participating vendors.
Weiss said that Sugar High will have samples of the vegan sushi, some baked goods and a vegan calzone, which is definitely high on my list of things to try.
Other downtown businesses are on board for the event as well.
In addition to Sugar High and Big Daddy’s, the following downtown businesses on East Main Street will offer vegan and vegetarian food items:
Veganism is about more than food too. It involves goods that do not include materials made from animals or animal byproducts, such as leather, wool, silk and even beeswax.
Retail and specialty businesses will participate in the Vegan Vibes Belleville Fest as well, including:
Products from some of these businesses will include clothing and accessories, soaps and candles.
Vegan jams by Roseberry Farms are available at Blanquart’s Rusty Gem Vintage Market. Jennifer Green/jgreen@bnd.com
Blanquart’s Rusty Gem Vintage Market features jams and salsas from one of its vendors, Roseberry Farms .
The jams and salsas are available in a variety of flavors and are all natural with no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
Soy wax candles by Millstadt-based Fern & Ivy are also available at the Rusty Gem and come in cute teacups and other unique vessels. (I have my eye on a few of these.)
Close-up of vegan purses at Circa in downtown Belleville Jennifer Green/jgreen@bnd.com
“I think [the event] is a really fun idea,” said Andria Powell, owner of Circa Boutique + Gifts.
The boutique will feature its handbag line. I have one of the crossbody bags and wallets, which come in fun vibrant colors.
He will also share recipes and vegan literature and demonstrate how he makes his own oat milk.
He’s hoping to get a great turnout for the city’s first vegan event.
“It’s a start here in Belleville,” he said.
Green Root Gallery, one of the downtown Belleville businesses participating in the Vegan Vibes festival, displays the flyer for the inaugural event. Jennifer Green/jgreen@bnd.com
Bringing a vibe
This event will take place in the afternoon, mainly to accommodate the retail hours of the downtown businesses.
All are welcome, said Weiss, who wants to show the community that they don’t have to go over to St. Louis to enjoy vegan food and merchandise. They can find it all right here in downtown Belleville.
People have a real option for that here, agreed Schmelzel, adding that downtown Belleville already has a good vibe with its existing offerings and live music.
This event is not just another Belleville event or party, but a jump into another realm, he said. There’s high attendance at all Belleville events. This event will reach a new group of people.
“It’s gonna be a great vibe,” he said.
And they want to keep bringing a great vibe downtown, and allowing folks to relax and enjoy themselves, said Weiss.
“It’s about the vibe of everything,” she said.
About Vegan Vibes Belleville Fest
The first ever Vegan Vibes Belleville Fest takes place Saturday, Nov. 2, from 1 to 6 p.m. along downtown Belleville’s East Main Street. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/3A6QHtf .
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