October 1, 2024
Twin Cities Veg Fest 2024 took place on September 22 at Harriet Island Park, and it was a huge success! With over 5,000 attendees, this year’s event had everything from delicious food and live music to fun activities and engaging talks. Organized by Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA), this was the 12th annual festival, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate plant-based living and compassionate choices.
If you missed out or want to relive the festival, be sure to check out our photo slideshow above! We’ve captured the highlights, from the American Vegetarian Association Main Stage with its awesome speakers to the Focus Health and Music Stage featuring live music and yoga and the games at the Farmaste Fun Zone. Not to mention all the fantastic folks at the festival and the tasty food. These photos showcase the energy and excitement of the day, bringing back memories of a great time.
Survey Says: Festival Was a Hit!
As always, CAA conducted a survey to gather feedback from festival-goers, and the results were overwhelmingly positive! One lucky attendee even won a $100 gift card for completing the survey. A remarkable 92% of attendees expressed their satisfaction with the festival, highlighting its success.
The Positive Impact of the Festival
The survey revealed the festival’s significant impact on attendees. More than half reported that they were considering reducing their consumption of eggs and dairy, as well as cutting back on animal materials like leather. Many felt inspired by the delicious vegan food, engaging conversations with vendors and fellow attendees, and the insightful talks from guest speakers. This enthusiastic response underscores the festival’s role in promoting a compassionate lifestyle and fostering positive change within the community.
Attendee Praise: “Event Was Well Planned and So Fun!”
Visitors were thrilled with the atmosphere, the organization, and the variety of offerings at the festival. One attendee summed it up perfectly: “The event was well planned and so fun. The location was perfect. I appreciated the commitment to zero waste, the wide range of vendors, the ambiance! Great job!”
Others loved the vibe and activities: “Music vibes right away in the morning were great. Food options were great. Diverse vendors and types of vendors were appreciated. Overall flow and vibes were great, and everyone was just so happy to be there with an infectious energy that really adds to the event.”
Food, Fun, and Friendly Faces
The festival had something for everyone. Attendees enjoyed a huge selection of plant-based foods from over 25 food trucks and vendors, serving everything from savory snacks to sweet treats. Many visitors said the food was a highlight, with one attendee sharing, “The food options were great. The abundance of free gummy bears was cool!”
For those looking to shop, over 75 exhibitors offered vegan jewelry, art, clothing, and more. It was a chance for people to discover new products, support local businesses, and connect with others. As one festival-goer put it, “I liked meeting new people and learning about businesses I didn’t know existed.”
Free Yoga, Live Music, and So Much More!
The festival wasn’t just about food — it was also packed with fun activities for all ages. The day included free yoga and Zumba classes, where attendees could stretch and relax under the guidance of enthusiastic instructors. “I really enjoyed the live music, the free yoga, and seeing new vendors. I really enjoyed the overall event and ambiance” said one satisfied guest.
Throughout the day, live music from local bands filled the air, adding to the event’s energetic atmosphere. Local pop star MAYDA performed at 1:30 PM, followed by Umbrella Bed who kept the crowd entertained. One attendee said, “I really enjoyed the music and how it set the tone for the whole event. Everyone was just so happy to be there, and it was infectious!”
Learning and Growing Together
There were many opportunities to learn new information and skills at the American Vegetarian Association Main Stage. This stage featured guest speakers, cooking demos, and the announcement of the winner of the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge.
Attendees sharpened their culinary skills with fun cooking demos from talented chefs. Lutunji Abram from Lutunji’s Palate Bakery & Café demonstrated how to create a delicious plant-based sandwich, Ms. Lutunji’s Seitan Delight, while Lindsey Johnston from Francis Burger Joint taught the crowd how to make party-worthy sauces. Free samples were offered at the demos, and recipe cards were given to take home.
Karla Moreno-Bryce, a leading expert in pediatric vegan nutrition, debunked common myths about plant-based diets for children and explained how to support their growth. Mary Britton Clouse, co-founder of Chicken Run Rescue, shared insights on our relationships with chickens in her talk, “Who Cares About City Chickens and Why,” exploring both the challenges and opportunities of living with these animals.
Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge: A Tasty Competition
The Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge award ceremony was one of the festival’s most anticipated events. During the month of August, 24 local restaurants competed to create the best plant-based dish. At the festival, the winners were announced to an excited crowd who also got to hear from some of the chefs.
The Grand Prize went to The Himalayan Restaurant for their mouthwatering Vegan Jackfruit Tikka Masala, which also won the award for Best Thing to Ever Hit My Taste Buds.
Other standout dishes included Lulu EthioVegan’s Dinich Wot, which took second place, and H.E.A.L. Mpls’s Kingdom Gyro Plate, which came in third.
These awards celebrated the creativity and talent of local chefs and showed just how tasty vegan food can be! For more details and other winners, check out the details in our blog.
Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Rally
The second Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Rally took place at the festival, helping to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The rally started with a lively procession of drum lines and dancers and ended with inspiring speeches from cancer survivors and doctors.
Mayo Breast Oncologist Lisa Ellsworth talked about how a plant-based diet can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. Emily Rawate, a breast cancer survivor, shared her story and encouraged others to get regular check-ups. The rally ended with a cooking demo by Jodi Gruhn of Borealle featuring foods that can lower the risk of cancer, giving attendees practical tips on how to lead healthier lives.
The local Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Rally was organized by Borealle, with support from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and is part of a larger movement that organizes rallies across the country.
Active Participation and Family Fun
The festival also offered plenty of activities for families and active attendees. From outdoor games like cornhole and giant Jenga in the Farmaste Fun Zone to the the Climb Theatre family area with its bouncy house and fun, hands-on activities for kids, there was no shortage of entertainment. Attendees also enjoyed Zumba and yoga sessions, making it a great event for those looking to stay active while having fun.
The mix of food, fun, and fitness created a lively atmosphere that had everyone smiling and engaged.
A Commitment to Sustainability
The Twin Cities Veg Fest was committed to being a zero-waste event. Volunteers helped make sure everyone knew how to dispose of their waste properly, and efforts were made to keep the festival eco-friendly. This focus on sustainability reflected the event’s broader mission of promoting a compassionate and earth-friendly lifestyle.
Supporting the Festival
The success of Twin Cities Veg Fest 2024 was made possible by over 200 volunteers and the generous support of donors, sponsors and exhibitors. The hard work and dedication of these community members helped keep the festival free and made it a day to remember. Many attendees expressed their appreciation, noting how well organized the event was and how welcoming the atmosphere felt.
See You Next Year!
As the day came to an end, attendees left feeling inspired, happy, and full of new ideas about plant-based living. With delicious food, live music, fun activities, and a welcoming community, Twin Cities Veg Fest 2024 was a huge success.
Make sure to mark your calendars for next year’s event — you won’t want to miss it! (and if you want to check out the slideshow from last year you can catch it here).