Portland’s first-ever VegOut! Portland Vegan Beer & Food Festival gets underway later this month.
The event, taking place July 21-22, will welcome over 100 vendors, offering a variety of plant-based foods, vegan-friendly clothing, handmade cruelty-free cosmetics, and local art. The event is a collaborative effort between VegOut! events and Northwest Veg, an activist group that promotes a compassionate plant-based lifestyle.
A Community Event
According to VegOut! Events founder Clayton Kammerer, “The event has a really laid-back, peaceful sort of vibe, which really encourages attendees to spend a good part of the day hanging out and savoring the stroll with friends, family, and other great people that care about the same sort of things.”
The VegOut! Portland vendor lineup places a strong emphasis on local businesses, using locally-sourced ingredients where possible. However, vendors from across the country will also help to bring a diverse range of foods that appeal to all palates. Beloved local vendors Fatsquatch PDX, Sizzle Pie, and Snackrilege will be in attendance as well as Portland newcomers Dingers Deli and Flourish. And Aviv, Izhiza Kitchen, and Obon PDX will bring an international flair.
Desserts range from raw vegan treats to nondairy nitrogen ice cream. And Chicago-based purveyor of vegan hot wings, These Wingz?, a popular option at vegan food festivals across the country will also be one of the many vendors. “We put a lot of attention in curating our vendors and I think it goes without saying that whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong,” Kammerer said.
After successfully launching VegOut! events in Scottsdale and Tucson, Arizona, Kammerer moved to Portland in order to build relationships with local vendors and artists. Between food and music (ranging from folk to rap), Kammerer and his team have put together an event that delivers a true PDX experience.“Sitting and grubbing on sublime food with other chill people while listening to music with friends in a forested park not far from the bustle of the world is a pretty Portland thing to do,” Kammerer said.
Vegan Craft Beer Takes Center Stage
In addition to food, the festival will also serve a wide array of vegan-friendly beer. The beer will be available in a commemorative reusable cup that comes with each ticket purchase. Kombucha on tap will also be served, for those who do not want to drink alcohol, an option that Kammerer wanted in order to ensure that the event was inclusive to all. In addition to reusable, BPA-free cups, the first 6,000 VegOut! Portland attendees will receive a Good Karma protein shake.
Kids 12 and under are free and guests are welcome to bring their pets for a day of vegan food, drink, local music, and thought-provoking speeches. Speakers include vegan athlete Dominick Thompson, “Vegans, Baby” founder Diana Edelman, and LIVEKINDLY CEO and founder, Jodi Monelle.
“It’s an honor to be speaking at Portland’s first Veg Out!“ says Monelle. “Events like these are popping up all around the globe, proving the demand for vegan options is showing no sign of slowing down. That’s a reality we see daily at LIVEKINDLY. We simply can’t put out enough content–people just want more information, more access to brands, and more opportunities to connect with the community.”
LIVEKINDLY readers can save $5 on VegOut! Portland tickets by using promo code “LIVEKINDLY18” at checkout. Ticket info here.
Image Credit: VegOut! Events
