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Chicago VeganMania Celebrates Seventh Anniversary

Chicago VeganMania, a free, daylong celebration of vegan culture, commerce, community, cuisine and couture, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., October 10, at the Broadway Armory, in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood.

Chicago VeganMania boasts a large food court featuring some of Chicago’s favorite vegan and vegetarian food purveyors of American standards, soul food, Indian food, deep-dish pizza, baked goods, chocolates and more. Surrounding this is a marketplace packed with dozens of diverse vendors, featuring everything from jewelry to body care products, candles and high fashion, as well as many vendors giving out free food samples. The Culture Café will have live music all day, there’s a lively Kids’ Zone and Q&A panels will address a wide range of topics.

Nationally known speakers include Dr. Joel Kahn, “America’s Holistic Heart Doc” and author of the bestselling The Whole Heart Solution and Dead Execs Don’t Get Bonuses. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, bestselling author of The 30-Day Vegan Challenge and the voice behind the popular podcast Food for Thought, will also speak.

Other speakers include Alex Hershaft, co-founder of Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) and a Warsaw ghetto survivor; John Pierre, author, bodybuilder and fitness expert; Carrie LeBlanc, president of CompassionWorks International; and Robert Grillo, founder and executive director of Free From Harm.

Cooking demonstrations in the armory’s new state-of-the art Culinary Center feature a full day with “The Naked Chef” Jacques Laventure, The Ayurvedic Vegan Kitchen author Talya Lutzker and chefs from several of Chicago’s top vegan restaurants. Everything demonstrated and sampled will be free of animal ingredients.

“This will be our seventh year, and we still love how rewarding it is to celebrate veganism and Chicago together,” says Marla Rose, event co-founder. “It’s a really positive and fun celebration of vegan culture and community, but it’s also very appealing to those who are just curious about the lifestyle. Anyone who enjoys a free, lively festival with diverse vendors, great speakers and entertainment as well as, of course, delicious food, will enjoy Chicago VeganMania.”

 

Admission: free, $3 donation suggested. Location: 5917 N. Broadway, Chicago. For more information, call 773-640-2822 or 773-318-5627 or visit ChicagoVeganMania.com