06-01-2025, 09:59 AM
Last year, I went to VEGFEST on a lark. It was held at Cocoanut Grove, the old dancehall at the boardwalk, and I walked over. It was great - cool vendors, so much to eat and sample, lots of freebies, and I bumped into a few yoga friends. There was also a promotion for Kachava superfood - a powder to dissolve into drinks - and I got two full bags (like a $70 value each). I just finished the first bag and broke into the second. Good stuff but I probably won't buy it on my own.
This year, it moved to the fairgrounds which is a half-hour drive away, plus an extra $10 for parking. But I still wanted to support it. It was fun. I was greeted by a DJ friend, Aye Que Linda, at the ticket booth and we chatted about Cali Roots recovery. I was handed several drink samples on the way in - can't remember the product now but it was satisfying because I was thirsty at that moment. Then I feasted on free samples. There was a tasting bar for Bitchin sauce, one of my favs, and I hit that a couple of times. It was next to a sampler of this balsamic vegan cream cheese stuff that I could've eaten all of easily. An Indian group made their chickpea fudge, and I got a few of those - loved them from last year. There was also a nice hot sauce company that did a scotch bonnet sauce that I almost bought. I ate & drank well over $20 worth.
Plus I found a vegan dim sum place (https://imperialgardensf.com/page/sassy-foods) and indulged char siu bao (bbq pork buns which I haven't had in years) and zongzhi (sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves - a traditional fare for Dragon Boat day, which was yesterday). I was so stuffed by the end that it was hard to drive home.
The attendees are super friendly and I ended up hanging out with this young gal who was also gorging on bitchin sauces. The fairgrounds are in Watz, and there were a lot of Latina cowgirls - hawt veg cowgirls in daisy dukes, boots & cowboy hats - lots of them. Who knew that was even a thing?
I bought an almond cookie from the bakery that inspired EEAAO for Tara. I also came home with a fistful of coupons and new foods that I'll seek out.
I'm still bummed that it moved so far away, but it did expand considerably, and it was a beautiful day. Until next year!
This year, it moved to the fairgrounds which is a half-hour drive away, plus an extra $10 for parking. But I still wanted to support it. It was fun. I was greeted by a DJ friend, Aye Que Linda, at the ticket booth and we chatted about Cali Roots recovery. I was handed several drink samples on the way in - can't remember the product now but it was satisfying because I was thirsty at that moment. Then I feasted on free samples. There was a tasting bar for Bitchin sauce, one of my favs, and I hit that a couple of times. It was next to a sampler of this balsamic vegan cream cheese stuff that I could've eaten all of easily. An Indian group made their chickpea fudge, and I got a few of those - loved them from last year. There was also a nice hot sauce company that did a scotch bonnet sauce that I almost bought. I ate & drank well over $20 worth.
Plus I found a vegan dim sum place (https://imperialgardensf.com/page/sassy-foods) and indulged char siu bao (bbq pork buns which I haven't had in years) and zongzhi (sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves - a traditional fare for Dragon Boat day, which was yesterday). I was so stuffed by the end that it was hard to drive home.
The attendees are super friendly and I ended up hanging out with this young gal who was also gorging on bitchin sauces. The fairgrounds are in Watz, and there were a lot of Latina cowgirls - hawt veg cowgirls in daisy dukes, boots & cowboy hats - lots of them. Who knew that was even a thing?
I bought an almond cookie from the bakery that inspired EEAAO for Tara. I also came home with a fistful of coupons and new foods that I'll seek out.
I'm still bummed that it moved so far away, but it did expand considerably, and it was a beautiful day. Until next year!
Shadow boxing the apocalypse