Veggie Fest Celebrates 10 Years with New Location

Veggie Fest Chicago, one of the largest vegetarian food and lifestyle festivals in North America, will chalk up a milestone 10th anniversary of spreading the word about the sustainable, vegetarian lifestyle from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., August 15 and 16, at a new location—Benedictine University. Last year’s event drew record-breaking crowds of more than 30,000 people from around the world.

Veggie Fest features a huge, tasty and nutritious international food court; health professionals speaking on diet, lifestyle, and environmental issues; engaging food demonstrations by restaurant owners, chefs and authors; a children’s tent with face painting, clowns and crafts; live music from some of Chicago’s best bands; and more than 100 vendor booths to explore.

Other highlights include a Spirituality and Health Symposium with expert speakers from around world; keynote talks on both days by Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, a world-renowned spiritual master, and Dr. Terry Mason, chief operating officer of the Cook County Public Health System, on the importance of the vegetarian way of life.

Lisle Mayor Joe Broda will cut the opening-day ribbon and attendees can “pledge to go veg” for 14 days by taking the Vegetarian Challenge, complete with recipes, tips and shopping lists. There is also a Learn to Meditate tent for simple instructions that can benefit the body, mind, and spirit; and blood and food drives that give back to the community.

Admission and parking are free. Location: 5700 College Rd., Lisle, IL. For more information, call 630-955-1200 or visit VeggieFestChicago.org.