Lancaster VegFest [2024]

Lancaster VegFest
Buchanan Park, Lancaster, PA

Lancaster VegFest is a free annual event celebrating the plant-based lifestyle. 2024 marks the 8th annual Fest and its third as an official Lancaster Farm Sanctuary event. Their mission is to provide information about the benefits of a plant-based diet for health and the benefit to animals. Proceeds from the event including donations at entry benefit the rescued animals at Lancaster Farm Sanctuary.

VegFest is one of Lancaster’s best local events year after year. Each year the event grows in size. Over the course of two days, thousands of guests attended from the local area, as well as guests who travelled hours to enjoy. With more than 100 vendors, there were a lot of new things to enjoy this year.

The food is one of the biggest draws of the event each year. Guests have the opportunity to purchase food from more than 50 food trucks and food vendors! And, the majority of these food vendors are not local, which makes Lancaster VegFest the only opportunity to try them. Some food trucks and vendors came from several states away. The cuisines range from barbeque, southern comfort food, Asian fusion, ice cream, baked goods, drinks, and more—all 100% plant-based (vegan).

The Vegan Beer Garden returned for its third year at VegFest. Local breweries and distilleries offered craft beer, cocktails, and hard ciders. Yard games like cornhole and picnic tables filled the beer garden area, which was adjacent to the stage with live music and speakers.

The stage was full throughout both days of VegFest. Stage acts ranged ranged vegan cooking demos, to plant-based experts’ lectures, to live music. Featured were chef demos from Miss Rachel and Halle High-Benson, speakers Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary and Neo da Vinci of EpitomeFit, and music by The Wild Hymns, Screamin’ Egrets, Bushmaster Blues, and The Honey Badgers.

The vegan marketplace bring dozens of vendors selling plant-based products, which range from shirts, pins, and stickers to books and pet items. Tarot card readings, henna tattoos, plants, beauty supplies, and other goods are available as well. Additionally, several farm animal sanctuaries are present and represented, including Raven Ridge Wildlife Center who brought Barron, their black vulture animal ambassador. And, The California Boys were present for elaborate face paintings and over-the-top caricature drawings.