Kelowna’s VegFest 2023 Draws Over 45 Vendors, Thrives in City Park

UPDATE: Kelowna’s City Park transformed into a vibrant plant-based paradise on September 21, 2023, as the highly anticipated 5th annual VegFest Kelowna took place, attracting food lovers and sustainability advocates alike. The festival, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featured over 45 vendors, each showcasing a variety of vegan delights.

Event Manager Chelsea Travere confirmed the festival’s return to Kelowna after a two-year stint at the Westbank Lions Hall. “We really love that location and we’d love to host another event there, maybe even VegFest West Kelowna,” Travere stated, highlighting the decision to relocate to a more central area to draw a larger crowd.

The festival, organized in partnership with Positively Vegan, not only focused on delicious food but also emphasized critical issues surrounding sustainability and animal welfare. Board Chair Stacy Neilson remarked on the significance of such events, stating, “There’s certainly the sustainability aspect for people and for the planet, and then also for the animals.”

Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, including engaging speakers, a dedicated kids’ zone, a vegan meat draw, and a silent auction, all aimed at promoting a plant-based lifestyle. “Most people when you speak to them want to treat animals kindly… and then people sit down to dinner and they make choices that are inconsistent with the values that they profess,” Neilson added, underscoring the festival’s mission.

The enthusiastic turnout at VegFest reflects a growing trend towards plant-based diets, highlighting a shift in consumer preferences that prioritizes health, sustainability, and ethical considerations. With the success of this year’s festival, organizers are optimistic about the potential for more events like VegFest in the future.

Stay tuned for more updates as Kelowna embraces the plant-based movement and seeks to inspire positive change within the community.