By Yuri Good | Staff Writer

The Pittsburgh VegFest will be hosting their annual celebration on Aug. 10 at Allegheny Commons Park.

The Pittsburgh VegFest is an outdoor summer festival that brings with it a variety of vegetarian food in Pittsburgh, music, shopping, speakers, and yoga demos.

It is also a celebration of the vibrant and diverse animal advocacy that goes on in the Steel City.

This free admission event is hosted by the non-profit organization Justice For Animals. Small business merchandise and wellness vendors, non-profit animal welfare organizations, and adoptions, along with a diverse selection of vegetarian food will be spread out across Allegheny Commons Park.

Pittsburgh VegFest started out with just money from the pockets of festival founders Leila Sleiman and Natalie Fristick, after working professionally in animal rights and attending and tabling other similar events across the country.

Fristick saw the need for an event like VegFest in Pittsburgh, along with the need for a fun outdoor festival-type celebration to bring attention to important issues in a family friendly and positive way. The pair decided to come together by supporting the local community and inviting vendors from small businesses around Pittsburgh, vegetarian establishments, and animal welfare organizations.

VegFest has grown to over 8,000 to 10,000 people in attendance annually by offering activities like cooking and food demonstrations. During the COVID-19 pandemic the members broke up into small groups over two days to help support small businesses.

In 2015 VegFest was received beyond expectations, bringing out nearly 5,000 attendees. The overwhelming response of Pittsburgh embracing VegFest solidified its need in Pittsburgh with a mission to make each year bigger and better!

The festival also aims to keep animals at the forefront and promote a kinder lifestyle to the environment, the animals and to their bodies.

VegFest will have free kid activities as well as free admission on Aug. 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m..

VegFest will have about 200 vendors, including vegetarian food stands, craft vendors and animal welfare organizations as well as family fun and live music all day.

There will be a variety of activities, including Walk With a Doc led by Dr. Natalie Gentile.

Vendors in attendance at the festival include Orange Avocado, Aladdins and Brusters Ice Cream, who will have their oat milk flavors.

For the most up to date information and details check VegFest’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

“Bring a blanket, a hat, some water and kick back and enjoy the day,” said Sleiman and Fristick.