- ArtsQuest's and Upper Macungie Township's Vegfest will be Saturday, Sept. 9
- There will be cooking demonstrations with chefs from Vegan Snob and Butterhead Kitchen
- Author Stewart Mitchell, an author who heads Vigilante Vegan, is among the guest speakers
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Learn about veganism and how to cook meat-free dishes at the Vegfest, set for Saturday at Grange Park in Upper Macungie Township.
Tickets start at $17. For information or tickets visit the event website.
The event, a partnership between ArtsQuest and the township, will be from noon to 5 p.m.
Cooking demos, gardening tips
Just in time for the holidays, you can learn how to make vegan appetizers from Jason Sizemore of Butterhead Kitchen starting at 12:30 p.m.
The chef will assemble nachos that are gluten-free and made with raw ingredients.
He'll also whip up queso, sour cream and taco (beef-free) meat.
At 1:30 p.m., Sue Tantsis of Edge of the Woods Nursery in Orefield will speak about some of the Lehigh Valley's native plants and share gardening advice to help attendees winterproof their yards and prepare for next spring.
Additionally, Chef Sunshine of the Vegan Snob will demonstrate how to make her vegan scallops in a butter garlic sauce using her own organic seasoning and spices.
Sunshine's demo starts at 2:30 p.m.
Lastly, Sato Salon Organics will present a facial demo at 3:30 p.m.
Attendees will be given a step-by-step guide on skin care using vegan products.
The salon also will have a vendor booth onsite that will offer a complimentary skin care analysis.
Guest speakers
For this year's event, ArtsQuest has teamed up with Animal Defenders Greater Lehigh Valley to supply and endorse animal-free products at the festival.
“The great thing about Vegfest is that it will be an amazing opportunity for everyone," Sheryl Petrillo, president of Animal Defenders Greater Lehigh Valley, said.
"Whether they are vegan, vegetarians or veg-curious, this festival allows people to learn that vegan is much more than just a diet.
“Our organization promotes vegan for the animals first and foremost. It is a lifestyle and one that is most compassionate and kind to the animals; ideal for overall health and wellness; and one that can help save our planet.”
Social media influencer Stewart Mitchell will take the stage at 2 p.m. to speak about the role creative arts plays in activism.
Mitchell is the creator of Vigilante Vegan on Instagram, and author of the children's book "Kayla the Vegan," and Young Adult novel, "Liberation Summer."
Activist Gene Baur, president of Farm Sanctuary, will talk about his advocacy to end factory farming at 4 p.m.
"The great thing about Vegfest is that it will be an amazing opportunity for everyone – whether they are vegan, vegetarians, or veg curious this festival allows people to learn that vegan is much more than just a diet."Sheryl Petrillo, President of Animal Defenders Greater Lehigh Valley
Baur is author of "Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds about Animals and Food," and "Living the Farm Sanctuary Life: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Mindfully, Living Longer, and Feeling Better Every Day."
In between lectures, check out live music by the local performers, The Wild Hymns and DB Thomas starting at noon.
