Annual vegan festival will feature chef demos, food samples, guest speakers, vendors, and more.

The annual, volunteer-run festival will take place from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at the Gillespie Conference and Special Event Center, 53995 Ind. 933. Admission is free, providing a chance for anyone interested to explore healthy food choices and support regional, vegan-friendly businesses and organizations. Transferable general admission tickets (up to 5 per order) are available through Eventbrite.com.

Michiana VegFest includes nationally recognized speakers on healthy eating, animal protection, and environmental sustainability; cooking demos with free samples by renowned chefs; vendors of food, cosmetics, clothing, and other goods that are produced without animal ingredients; live music; an educational, experiential Kids’ Corner and more.

“Becoming a vegan was one of the best decisions of my life,” festival chair Michael Pound said. “VegFest allows me to spread the message to a wider audience; to help people discover the wonderful variety of plant-based food, to realize the health benefits, to avoid animal cruelty and to protect the environment.”

Multiple speakers will be in attendance for the veg-curious, offering insight into topics such as "Plant-Powered Living for Slow-Motion Aging", "Becoming Vegan Strong" and the connection between diet and disease, among others.

Featured speakers include:

• Victoria Moran, speaker, educator, podcast host, and author of 14 books on well-being, spirituality, and vegan living, including her latest, “Age Like a Yogi.”
• Vegan Bill Muir, combat veteran, martial artist, vegan chef, author of “Vegan Strong: The Ultimate Field Manual for a Kick-Ass Plant-Fueled Life,” RN, musician
• Plant-Based Joan, nurse, educator, speaker

Additionally, chef demonstrations will allow guests can get an up-close look at how a variety of healthy, vegan dishes are created — without sacrificing flavor.

Featured chefs include:

• Chef Josh Musinski, Water & Wheat, Coloma, Mich.
• Jill Keb and Kathy Taylor, Plant Life Journey, South Haven, Mich.
• Katherine and Joshua – Feel Better Living

Michiana VegFest, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization run entirely by volunteers. Donations and any proceeds from the yearly event are used to support efforts for the next VegFest.