Vegan Environmental Awards 008

Organised by Yaoh

Sponsored by VeggieVision

Inspired by PeaPR

Nominations

8 Best Vegan Shows and Events

A few years back there was only one really - well, two, actually, the London Vegan Fest and the Xmas without Cruelty show. Since then there has been a proliferation of vegan events across the UK, with the Incredible Veggie Roadshows sweeping the country as well as numerous regional shows springing up. Most are run by volunteers and helpers, all of them enjoy widespread support from leading vegan and ethical firms and individuals. And all of them are brilliant in the way they showcase the best of the vegan lifestyle to the rest of the world.

• London Vegan Festival: Annual event in London now into its 11 th year and always popular especially with the party faithful. Loads of stalls and now loads of entertainment too with vegan singer/songwriters in abundance, one of the only vegan festivals where this actually happens. Robin and Alison from CALF have put in years of service to keep this one running and are now joined by the very active Vegan Campaigns group, in particular the wonderful Caroline. The 2008 date is set for Sunday September 7 th at Kensington Town Hall W8 http://www.vegancampaigns.org.uk/festival/index.html
• Incredible Veggie Roadshows: These brilliant shows go all over the UK with 4 a year now, after the opening 12 shows back in 2005. Dates confirmed for 2008 include Northampton (March 22nd ), Nottingham (July 5th ), Portsmouth (Sept 27th ) and Bristol (Nov 29th ). Very successful formula of free vegan tastings, loads of info, some stalls, talks and demos, all celebrating the best of the vegan lifestyle. The whole Viva! team is vibrant, classy and highly achieving but special mention for Angie here who is the main coordinator for these excellent shows. http://www.viva.org.uk/events.php
• Festival of Life: Very colourful and lively raw living festival that will be in its fifth year if there is a 2008 date (which is as yet unannounced). The show has grown to over 40 stalls and hundreds of visitors over 2 days representing the cutting edge of the rapidly growing raw food lifestyle. All the major 'Living Raw' players at this one with an abundance of raw food prep classes and demos. http://www.festivaloflife.net/
• Bristol Vegan Fayre: The 2008 dates (May 31 st /June 1 st ) will see the 6 th annual show right in the centre of town. Billed as the worlds largest, for many it's the best too, with a big nod towards parties, bands and having fun. Over 140 stalls at the 07 show, and with 60 different Talks and Demos billed for the 08 show, the BVF continues to provide not only top class entertainment but also a huge amount of info about the vegan lifestyle, as well as some stunning shopping opportunities. http://www.bristolveganfayre.co.uk
• Christmas Without Cruelty: The longest running cruelty free event in the UK and probably the world, every xmas a huge bash in the centre of London with loads of stalls and some fantastic opportunities to shop in the complete safety knowing that everything on offers is cruelty free. Great opportunity for smaller campaigners and stallholders especially to reach a wider audience and this show is usually the first in the book for vegan businesses and campaigners. Well done to the lovely Mary for holding this one together, as with all show organisers she has to put up with a lot to pull this one off, and is highly respected and adored especially by those who know her for her achievements, along with a beautiful team of individuals and supporters. 2008 date to be announced. http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/NEWS/news_other/ALL/1644//

• East Midlands Vegan festival: Organised by Veggies and supported by many, including the brilliant Beth and Estella, over 1700 people crowded through the doors at the 2007 show in December, with loads of stalls, talks, tastings etc making this the largest regional show of its kind. 2008 will be the fifth year that the show has happened, with Reuben and his House of Life team credited with the inspiration behind the show. http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=950
• North West Vegan Festival: This show is not only the first of the 2008 shows, its also the most poignant, as the date coincides with what would have been Neil Lea's 50 th birthday. Neil died in 2007 and his legacy continues in the form of this Manchester event organised by his wife Mary. http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=1137

• Any Hunt Sab day out, or any other direct action or protest: There are thousands of vegan people who regularly take to the streets to campaign on vegan and animal rights issues, and for many of these, the shows and festivals are ok but are not the most effective way of changing the status quo. There's many who would rather go on a protest or Hunt sab or other such activity than a vegan fayre - here's your chance to vote!

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