There’s tons of barbecue restaurants, steak houses and charcuterie spots throughout Tampa and beyond, so it makes sense that the Bay area’s plant-based folks would want one day to celebrate their meat and dairy-free lifestyle.

Over a hundred plant-based businesses will be featured at this year’s Tampa Bay Veg Fest, a gathering of like-minded vegans, businesses, animal sanctuaries, environmental activists, health-conscious folks, plant-based chefs and lovers of tasty food in general (yes, meat-eaters can enjoy vegan fare, too.)

The 12th rendition of Veg Fest returns to Tampa’s Perry Harvey Sr. Park (1000 E Harrison St.) on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
In addition to its impressive spread of vendors and local businesses, this free-to-attend festival will also host yoga classes, vegan cooking demonstrations, live entertainment and family-friendly activities.

Just a few local restaurants that vend at next month’s festival include Vine Vegan, The Vegan Halal Cart, Squeeze Juice Works, Seasoned Green, Nah Dogs, House of Vegano and Cafe Hey, alongside dozens of other Florida-based pop-ups, animal-friendly organizations and small businesses slinging plant-based vegan wares.

For the entire Veg Fest lineup and vendor map, head to tampabayvegfest.com.

Educational talks at next month’s event will be hosted by the “World’s Youngest Certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach & Educator” Vegan Evan and feature ecologist Dani Hall, filmmaker and activist Bobby Sud, biomedical scientist Dr. Faraz Harsini and Dr. Angela Persaud-Reddy. Topics related to veganism, nutrition, animal cruelty, wellness and environmental issues will be discussed. Chefs from Vegan it Real, House of Vegano, Rawsome Living and other concepts will also teach audiences how to make a variety of their plant-based specialties.

Alongside its full day of tasty eats, educational speakers and cooking demos, the annual festival is also hosting a kick-off party on Friday, Nov. 3 at downtown Tampa’s Aloft Hotel where 100% of proceeds go to local animal rescues.

Florida Voices for Animals, a Tampa Bay-based animal rights nonprofit, has been organizing the festival for the past 10 so years, so its philanthropic roots are a vital aspect of the annual Veg Fest celebration.

Tampa Bay Veg Fest is still looking for volunteers to help out; interested folks can send an inquiry to info@tampabayvegfest.org.

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