While the very essence of the annual Vegandale festival is rooted in music, community, food, and the arts, the brand’s mission centers on the “moral imperative of veganism and a world that can exist without exploiting animals.” The founders stand firmly on their proclamation that “veganism is the now, and the future.”
This past Saturday, thanks to a special invite, I experienced Vegandale firsthand. As a plant-based, pescatarian who has been chicken and red-meat-free for over five years, I was excited to try a wide range of delicious, meat-free cuisines. The overall vibe of the festival was positive as festival-goers enjoyed the food, the drinks, various art installations & activations, as well as the headlining performances.
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Dubbed the “largest vegan experience in North America,” Randall’s Island Park, situated on the East River, hosted the massive gathering. With over 250 vendors, 25,000 festival-goers, and an epic line-up of performances, you just had to be there to truly appreciate everything Vegandale had to offer. What stood out to me, as an attendee, was how peaceful the large crowd was.
Yes, the energy was high, and yes, the crowd was constantly moving to the resounding beats of music, but it never got rambunctious or violently boisterous – aside from the small crowd that snuck into the media pit, signaling brief panic from the security team. Overall, I give an A+ rating on the entire experience.
As I was walking through the seemingly endless row of vendors, I found my favorite restaurant, Healthy As a Motha, and also opted to try some vegan empanadas from a vendor nearby. A ten out of ten experience for my taste buds! As the sun started to set, and with my belly full from the delicious eats, it was time to vibe out to the headlining acts.
Proclaimed vegans, and plant-based enthusiasts themselves, Styles P, Coi Leray, and Rick Ross all took the stage for electrifying performances.
