2022 New England Vegfest Returns In-Person With Plant-Based Food, Fun, And Causes

Regional non-profit organization VegFest is thrilled to bring the popular New England VegFest (NEVF) food festival back in-person for 2022. The free festival will be held on May 22 at Worcester State University in Worcester, MA, running from 12pm-5pm. Attendees are asked to reserve free tickets ahead of time for general entry or can purchase early access tickets for 11am.

Now in its 12th year, NEVF is one of the largest and longest-running vegetarian festivals in the United States, attracting up to 10,000 attendees along with more than 100 veg-friendly food and product vendors, non-profits, and presenters. The event seeks to provide a fun and welcoming atmosphere where everyone can learn about plant-based living and animal advocacy.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 NEVF was canceled, and the 2021 event was virtual. The 2022 festival will be held at a new venue at Worcester State University in order to offer both indoor and outdoor spaces for exhibitors and attendees, including the university’s state-of-the-art Wellness Center and an outdoor vegan food truck line-up.

Also new this year is Presenting Sponsor VINE Sanctuary, a non-profit LGBTQ-led farmed animal sanctuary in Springfield, Vermont. VINE is home to more than 700 rescued farm animals who live in unique multi-species communities. VINE’s cofounder pattrice jones will also speak at the festival.

“As an LGBTQ-led sanctuary caring for hundreds of animals while working for social and environmental justice, VINE Sanctuary is proud to present the New England VegFest, an event that will substantially enhance health and equity in our region,” says jones. “I’m excited to share what I’ve learned from animals in the course of more than two decades of living with and caring for survivors of some of the most injurious forms of animal exploitation, such as cockfighting and dairying.”

Other event speakers include Jake Conroy, a longtime animal rights activist who was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison for his role in the Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty international animal rights campaign; and Eric C. Lindstrom, the Executive Director of Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) and author of best-selling books The Skeptical Vegan and Raising Vegan Kids.

The festival will also feature a series of plant-based cooking demos from New England-based chefs representing women-owned businesses. The chefs include Silvia Loney from Latina Vegan Chef cooking up vegan ceviche; Charlie Lumpkins from La Pheegan Chef grilling summertime cauliflower tacos with flavorful fixings; and Suman Shah of Fork on a Road showing attendees how to build flavor into vegan meals using spices.

Veggie and animals lovers of all ages are invited to attend the festival to sample and purchase a wide variety of vegan food and products, learn more about compassionate causes throughout New England, watch speakers and cooking demos, and participate in activities including the 46 Million Turkeys art project, yoga, a kids book reading, music, book signings, and more.

“VegFest is beyond excited to be back in person for the 2022 New England VegFest,” says VegFest Executive Director Jennifer Wyglinski. “We look forward to welcoming both longtime participants and new faces at this year’s event as we celebrate plant-based living with the New England Community. We are so grateful to all of our amazing sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, volunteers, and attendees!”

Learn more about the 2022 NEVF at nevegfest.org.

Come by the Spirit of Change booth and say hello! We’d love to see you. 💗