Date/Time
Saturday, March 15, 2025
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Location
CSPS Hall
Join us for award-winning vegan food and compassionate community! You’ll learn about how Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) advances veganism in Minnesota through events like Twin Cities Veg Fest and the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge. You’ll also get the inside scoop on our legislative and policy actions and have the opportunity to support our work for animals through fundraising games, gifts, and our auction.
This year’s semi-formal banquet will return to CSPS Hall (383 W Michigan St, St Paul 55102) on Saturday March 15 from 5:30 to 8:30pm.
Tickets are $75 for Vegan Vibes general admission and $125 for VIP. Volunteers and staff get $30 off a general admission ticket. There is special VIP table for eight pricing.
Ticket types:
- Vegan Vibes Includes appetizers, buffet dinner, and two sparkling waters enjoyed in the company of like-minded friends. You’ll also get in-person access to our auction.
- Vegan Vibes VIP Includes two alcoholic drinks, two sparkling waters, and two entries into each of our three games with chances to win great prizes: a gold necklace, a vegan cake, and a vegan gift basket Also includes appetizers, buffet dinner, and two sparkling waters enjoyed in the company of like-minded friends and in-person access to our auction. This is a $90 value for just $50 over the basic ticket price!
- Vegan Vibes VIP table: Each of the eight people at your table will be a VIP, and these tables will be called first for dinner! Each member of your party will get all of the VIP benefits. You’ll receive a discount for buying the eight VIP tickets as a set. VIP benefits include two alcoholic drinks, two sparkling waters, and two entries into each of our three games with chances to win great prizes: a gold necklace, a vegan cake, and a vegan gift basket.
Volunteering
Check out volunteer opportunities at the bottom of this page. They include cooking prior to the event and working that day. You’ll receive a volunteer discount code after signing up.
Auction
The annual fundraising auction will open to public bidding on February 21 and will end at the banquet. It features a wide range of items including farm sanctuary tours and stays, gift cards to vegan restaurants, jewelry, household items, fitness gift certificates, and more. [link coming soon]
Picking Up Auction Items
Winning bidders can pick up auction items at the end of the banquet. You can also pick up items you won from our office in NE. Items can be shipped for a small fee. Full details are listed on the auction website.
What to Expect
The reception, which starts at 5:30, features hors d’oeuvres, vegan cakewalks, other games, drinks, a cash bar, and online bidding on auction items.
At 6:30, the auction will close, and dinner begins. The Himalayan will be serving their Vegan Tikka Masala, winner of the 2024 Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge, along with other Nepalese delights. During dinner, CAA volunteers and staff will share inspiring stories about our work for animals and our community. You’ll get to enjoy conversation with others who care about animals and the benefits of plant-based eating.
During this section of the evening we’ll also complete the jewelry box game by unwrapping the jewelry boxes and discover who the winner is. And we’ll play the heads and tails game! (See game information below).
Invite friends to join you on Facebook or MeetUp.
Games Galore
Attendees have the opportunity to play three exciting games to win great prizes. All game playing fees will benefit our work for animals.
VIP ticket holders automatically get two entries into each game (a $75 value!) which they’ll receive as they enter the event.
During the event, attendees can purchase game tickets via cash or debit card only. There is no ATM onsite, so come prepared!
Game Descriptions
Win a Gold Necklace in the Jewelry Box Game
Cost: $25 for first box, $20 for each additional box
How it works: Purchase a jewelry box with a ribbon; you won’t know what’s inside! We’ll wait until all boxes are sold, and unwrap them together when the announcement is made during dinner. One lucky player will win a necklace, valued at over $900! All players will receive small prizes.
This necklace is from the estate of Joan Rolsky, donated by her husband, Jared Rolsky. Your purchase of a box carries the family legacy of support for animals forward.
Win a Vegan Cake in the Cakewalk
Cost: $10 for the first ticket, $5 for each additional ticket
How it works: You and other players will walk around a circle numbered one to ten while music plays. When the music stops, you’ll land on a number. The caller will reach into a box and pull a random number. Whoever is standing on that number wins a cake!
We’ll play 4 rounds of this game. Your ticket(s) will say the round number(s) you’ll participate in on the back.
Win a Vegan Gift Basket Playing Heads or Tails
Cost: $10 for the first necklace, $5 for each additional necklace
How it works: Each necklace buys you a “life” in the game. The caller will say “heads or tails.” Everyone with a necklace will put their hands on their head or their tail. The caller will flip a coin. Those whose hands are in the right place stay in; those whose hands are in the wrong place “lose a life” (remove a necklace). The game continues until just one person remains “alive” and wins the gift basket.
Venue, Transportation and Accessibility
CSPS Hall is ADA accessible and can be reached by public transit. Check the Metro Transit website for more details.
Parking is available on neighborhood streets surrounding the venue.
This video shows both the main entrance and the ADA entrance.
What Your Generosity Supports
Since 1998, CAA has spared the lives of over 1 million animals. Through dedicated efforts of volunteers and staff, plant-based options have been added to school and restaurant menus, thousands have pledged to eat vegetarian or vegan, and the annual Twin Cities Veg Fest has inspired thousands to choose, and keep choosing, plant-based foods.
Learn more on the about page of CAA’s website.
Sign Up to Volunteer!
Scroll down to see all opportunities.