South Dakota second annual VegFest planned for Sunday in Lennox
The second South Dakota VegFest is scheduled for June 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine at the Good Earth Farm near Lennox. It will feature several local food vendors, a free yoga class, a sustainable wardrobe workshop, a kombucha making class, as well as a farm tour and an opportunity to interact with the farm animals.
“VegFest is a celebration of the plant-based lifestyle [and] people looking to live a little more sustainably,” Nancy Kirstein, the organizer of the event, said.
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Assistant Event Coordinator of the VegFest Heather Cool said the aim of the event is to build a support network in South Dakota for people who choose to live as vegetarians or vegans to feel confident knowing they have food and services options in their communities to support their efforts.
Kirstein said she came up with an idea for the event about two years ago when she and her husband, who are both vegetarians, noticed a food truck selling vegan food, including vegan chicken sandwiches, in downtown Sioux Falls. People were lining up for it, and the food was sold out.
“We thought why couldn't we do a festival of our own that highlighted that stuff,” Kirstein said.
Along with providing an opportunity for people to get exposed to plant-based foods and lifestyle, Kirstein said, the event also provides an opportunity for the local businesses to promote their goods and services.
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“The money stays in the community and supports small businesses locally,” Kirstein said.
Kirstein and her husband Jeff hosted the first VegFest in 2022 at Kirsteins' farm, the Good Earth Farm.
“One of the biggest obstacles in putting on events like this is finding a venue that works, and since we have the venue, I thought it ties in really well with what it is that we do as farmers,” Kirstein said.
At their vegetable farm, the Kirsteins have an animal sanctuary where the animals, such as pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, goats, a miniature cow, a pony, and donkeys can live their natural life. During the VegFest the guests will get a chance to interact with the animals.
Kirstein said she will also give a guided farm tour at 2:30 p.m. where she will talk about the farm animals more in-depth.
A free yoga class is planned at 10:30 a.m., and an affordable and sustainable wardrobe workshop from Terra Shepherd Boutique and Apothecary is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. followed by a kombucha class at 1 p.m.
Sound engineering company Sound Made Simple will help provide music for the event, and the food vendors will offer a variety of food options served in smaller portions to allow the guests to have a little bit of everything.
The owners of the farm will be serving wood-fired vegan and vegetarian pizzas. Other food vendors for the event will include Daily Clean Food and Drink, Bee Loved Kitchen, and ‘Brosia Bowl, Kirstein said.
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Other vendors will include Heatherly Studious specializing in accessories and home décor, small crafting business TJ’s Trove, and others vegan friendly products. The children’s activities at the event will include rock painting, seed planting, scavenger hunt, and yard games, such as corn hole.
Kirstein said they expect about 250-300 people to show up at the event based on last year’s results. She said they feel the number of people who are open to trying a plant-based lifestyle in Sioux Falls is growing.
“I feel like even if people don’t eat vegan and vegetarian all the time, I feel some people do it occasionally, and this is a different way to expose yourself to new food and different options,” said Kirstein.
For more information on the event, visit the Good Earth Farm website or the event page on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota VegFest scheduled for June 4 in Lennox
