Bob Schwalb
A wealth of options from last year’s fest.
Last year’s Mad City Vegan Fest packed 4,000 attendees into the Goodman Community Center. People were generally happy with the event, says co-organizer Dave Friedman, but for one thing: “The only real complaints we had was that there was hardly room to breathe.”
That’s why the six-year-old fest is relocating to the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall. This year’s event takes place June 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. “Moving to the Alliant Center also lets us add more food vendors and exhibitors,” says Friedman.
It’s the food court that usually steals the show, says Friedman, and the number of vendors has nearly doubled from last year. As any vegan can tell you, it’s not just about avoiding meat. Other ingredients from animals — whey, gelatin and casein, to name a few — are included in a host of products that, without close inspection, one would assume are animal-free.
But at Mad City Vegan Fest, vegans can let their guard down, confident that everything on the menu is animal-free.
The Cultured Vegan, from the Chicago area, will be serving plant-based “fysh,” “chik’n” and “beef” tacos with rice and beans. They’ll also be offering chocolate glazed doughnuts and watermelon refresca (watermelon juice with fresh mint and lime).
Rain Truth, chef for the Cultured Vegan, has attended Mad City Vegan Fest before, but this is her first year as a vendor. She recognizes that there are still negative connotations surrounding veganism. “That’s why I love bringing my kids and having them see that they are not out of the norm,” says Truth. The Cultured Vegan will be serving a special tofu scrambler breakfast plate in the morning.
Kaylan Jamerson
It’s not a festival without swag.
Soul Vegan, also from Chicago, will be selling macaroni and “cheese,” gyros and barbecue. Traditional cornbread and collard greens are also on the menu.
Chef Anah Lesure, with The Next Level Vegans, is cooking up gyros, eggplant “parmesan,” lasagna and sweet potato pie. Next Level was at the fest last year, and Lesure says she received positive reviews from vegans and non-vegans alike. “We like introducing people to vegan food. It’s basically the same food you eat everyday, but we’re taking the meat byproducts out of it, so it’s healthier,” says Lesure. “My goal is when you see the word ‘vegan,’ you think delicious.”
Brown Rice and Honey is a new local vendor this year. Owner and chef Kristina Stanley, formerly of the Baker’s Window on State Street, specializes in gluten-free and vegan pastries. “At the fest, we’ll have banh mi [sandwiches], a really tasty basil ‘ricotta’ and tomato tart. We’ll also have some of our more popular pastries.” Brown Rice and Honey will also be co-hosting the after-party for Mad City Vegan Fest at Charlie’s on Main, 113 S. Main St., Oregon. Proceeds from the party go to the Alliance for Animals and the Environment. D.B. Rouse will be playing. The ticketed event starts at 7 p.m.
Other vendors from the Madison area include the Green Owl Cafe, which will be serving a “sloppy owl” sandwich with chips, empanadas, chili mac and “unchicken” drumsticks. Ladonia Cafe, a food cart located on the Capitol Square, has a barbecue seitan sandwich and an eggless egg salad. Ladonia will also have whoopie pies and ginger limeade.
A cornucopia of vegan-friendly desserts is also in store. Prairie Moon Bakery will be selling cookies, muffins and a chocolate pecan caramel cluster. Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream has a long list of soy-based ice cream flavors that will be available as well several varieties of Italian ice.
In addition to the food court, 40 exhibitors are offering free samples of vegan edibles, personal care supplies and other specialty food products. Speakers will also be presenting at the festival, and a number of animal welfare and health-related nonprofits will be giving out information. “Our attitude at the Mad City Vegan Fest is that any health-related information has to be backed up with evidence,” says Friedman. “That’s the criteria for our speakers as well as the exhibitors.”
Friedman says surveys in previous years revealed that a sizable percentage of fest attendees were not themselves vegan (some weren’t even vegetarians). Spouses and family members of practicing vegans make up a portion of that group, but Friedman says those intrigued by the lifestyle also flock to the fest. “We have a lot of people interested in being vegan but don’t know what that next step will be,” says Friedman. “Some people are interested for health reasons, ethical reasons or are concerned about the environment. This is a good opportunity for them to explore.”
