Courtesy Pittsburgh VegFest.

Allegheny Commons Park East
July 30
11 a.m.—5 p.m.

Corn dogs and cotton candy might be fine for an outing to Kennywood, but this weekend is the perfect time to kick off a greener, healthier lifestyle.

Vegan donuts by Gluten Free Goat.
Vegan donuts by Gluten Free Goat.

Setting up shop throughout Allegheny Commons Park East on Pittsburgh’s historic Northside, Pittsburgh VegFest is back and bigger than ever to help you eat your way through some of the city’s leading healthy, vegan and vegetarian food and drink purveyors.

Featuring an expanded lineup of 75 vendors spanning cuisine, commerce, and nonprofit causes—from organic dog treats to ethically produced clothing—VegFest is your one-stop shop for all things healthy, vegan, compassionate, and sustainable.

Sample and savor bites from a dizzying array of local food establishments, including Onion Maiden, Apteka, Gluten Free Goat, B52 Cafe, Chip & Kale, Red Lotus, and many others. Last year’s first-of-its-kind festivities drew thousands, and boasted everything from spicy seitan wings, refreshing juices, and authentic Indian fare, to chili dogs, a falafel bar, and even vegan donuts.

Pittsburgh VegFest

Peruse the impressive marketplace for goods and services from 1944 Vegan Skincare, Rustbelt Workshop, Sub Rosa Tea, Naturally Soergel’s, DoTerra Oils, Yummy Plants, Artifact Metalworks, Kivas Canine Dog Cookies, Olive & Marlowe, and more.

Attendees can also learn about many progressive nonprofits from around the region who will have resources and staff on hand, such as Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary, the Animal Rescue League, Hello Bully, Food Not Bombs, Northside Leadership Conference, Vegan Legion, and the Homeless Cat Management Team.

Free and family-friendly, the event will also feature speakers, raffles, and live music by The Beagle Brothers, Anti-Flag, Fire Safe Cigarettes, Robert Masters, Chiodi Trio, Endless Mike, Grand Piano, and Bret Kunash.

The first 250 people to arrive at VegFest will receive a free goodie bag. So whether you’re a diehard vegan or just making the transition from omnivore to herbivore, you won’t want to miss this extravaganza.

Looking for more events? Read our 10 Pittsburgh events not to miss in July, Everything you need to know about Pittsburgh concerts in July, and our Top 10 things for families to do in July in Pittsburgh feature articles.

Jennifer has worked at the Mattress Factory, Brooklyn Museum of Art and Dahesh Museum of Art and is co-author of Pittsburgh Signs Project: 250 Signs of Western Pennsylvania. She also is co-coordinator of Handmade Arcade. Musically, she is in a band called The Garment District and is a founding member of Brooklyn's The Ladybug Transistor.