Now in its 8th year, the annual Veggie Fest began as a local food festival for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. “Good food, healthy living” became the event’s official tag line as the number of fest-goers increased year after year. No longer just a local festival, Veggie Fest now attracts tens of thousands of people from all corners of the world. This year’s festival is expected to attract over 30,000 people from more than 15 countries.

Veggie Fest 2013

Two quick items as a matter of disclosure – we at Whiteout Press arbitrarily added the word ‘Midwest’ to ‘Veggie Fest’ in the article title, as it informs readers of the general region of the event, and it rhymed. Second, illustrating just how international and grassroots the annual Veggie Fest is, the event’s website is showing the wrong dates in certain spots (showing Sunday-Monday, instead of the actual Saturday-Sunday). It also spells the month ‘Auguste’. So for foodies and healthy food fans who like an international flare, that’s just one more bonus of this unforgettable event.

The Veggie Fest website describes last year’s festival with excitement and passion writing, ‘Veggie Fest 2012 was Fantastic with over 25,000 people attending! We would like to thank all of you for being a part of one of the largest vegetarian festivals in North America. This was the 7th annual Veggie Fest with over 500 volunteers from around the world! The international food court was packed, the children’s program was overflowing, the food demos were exciting and the music was happening. We had expert speakers, our first Veggie Fest art show, and over 100 vendor booths on all aspects of health and healthy living.’

In addition to all the food, fest-goers are treated to two days of speeches, lectures and demonstrations. Experts from around the world discuss such topics as (just a few of the many subjects and scheduled discussions):

• Nutrition for a Higher Quality of Life

• How Diet Helps Prevent Cancer

• A Plant-Based Diet for Optimal Health

• Growing Delicious Organic Veggies

• Organics and Non GMO and its Impact on Health

• The Healing Power of Meditation and the Vegetarian Diet

• Transforming the Heart through Meditation

• Therapeutic Lifestyle Change for Pain Treatment

Food, Music & Family Fun

Veggie Fest offers a wide variety of activities and demonstrations, including food demos throughout both Saturday and Sunday. Instructional food talks include ‘Raw Food For Dummies’, ‘New Enlightened Eating’, ‘Artisan Vegan Cheese’, ‘Protective Diet’, ‘My Kitchen Cure’, ‘Gluten-free Vegetarian’, and even ‘Whole Foods Presents’. Yes, that’s the ever-growing natural and organic grocery store chain, one of the event’s many sponsors.

From 11:00am to 8:00pm on both Saturday and Sunday, Veggie Fest 2013 will feature music provided by live bands. The assortment of US and international artists includes; Zach, Gizzae, Marisa Buchheit, The Giving Tree Band, Caribe Son Internacional, and LiveWire. The Veggie Fest website includes videos of each of the above performers for those interested in checking out the music beforehand.

Each year, Veggie Fest pays extra attention to the kiddies, making sure there are plenty of fun, friendly, safe, educational activities. As the festival website describes, ‘Veggie Fest is a family event, with plenty of fun and educational activities that adults can share with their children. An entire section of the grounds is dedicated to activities and entertainment for your children. Designed and managed by professional educators, the Veggie Fest children’s program provides a rewarding and enjoyable experience for kids of all ages.’

Some of the kids’ activities include face painting, arts and crafts, games, healthy snacks, photo fun, musical performers and professional entertainers, and more. The high point however, may just be the ‘Vegi-Kids Parade’ where all children aged 0-16 are invited to dress up as their favorite vegetable or animal. Fun and cool prizes are promised to all who participate.

Veggie Fest 2013 details

Where: Naperville, Illinois (Chicago suburb)

When: Saturday-Sunday, August 10-11, 2013

Times: 11:00am to 8:00pm (CST) each day

Admission: Free

Parking: Available and Free

For more information, visit the festival’s website at VeggieFestChicago.com

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