READING’S annual celebration of vegan food is back, and brings with it a host of food stalls, events, and stars, brought by Sparkle Vegan Events.
Reading Vegan Festival returns on Saturday, September 16, for its sixth annual event, which this year will be opened by actor and animal rights activist Peter Egan.
Egan is best known for his performances as Marquess of Flintshire Hugh MacClare in Downton Abbey, Martin Hughes in Unforgotten, and more recently Paul in Ricky Gervais’ After Life.
He is also a vocal and active supporter of animal rights, especially through his ambassadorship of several charities, including the Animals Asia Foundation, Chaldon Animal Sanctuary, and Saving Suffering Strays, as well as work campaigning to end the import for foie gras made by force-feeding.
He will be joined at the festival by comedian Carl Donnelly, as well as campaigners, meditation experts, and body builders who will lead a series of talks and workshops.
The event sees family activities such as face painting, bubble artists, craft events, shuffleboard, and story-time slots, alongside an after-party event complete with a DJ.
But the star of the show, of course, is the huge range of vegan street food, cakes, and products on offer at the festival.
This year will see selections of dairy-free artisanal cheeses, world cuisines, and cakes, as well as skincare and homeware.
Mumbai Street Eats, Pomodoro E Basilico, Sambucha Kombucha, Soy Ahoy, The May Bakery, The No Catch Co, and The Garden Restaurants, The Rolling Coconut, Vausages, and Vegivores will all be offering vegan food in Market Place.
Broad Street will see the likes of Arielle Hair and Beauty, Cub Coffee, Concious Cosmetics, Reading Hunt Sabs, EthicaLiving, and Zooniverse Designs, among others.
The Market House will host stalls from GreenPeace, Animals Asia, and The Art of Living, as well as many more.
Storytime begins in The Market House from 11am, followed by a talk exploring the work of Animals Asia by Johanne Rhodes, focusing on their work to end bear bile farming– also introduced by Peter Egan, in the same venue.
Vegan Muscle’s Steve and Mel will hold a discussion busting myths about health and fitness as well as providing a voice for animals, from 1pm.
Kamsella Chetty will lead a meditation workshop, including yogic breathing techniques and training, from 2pm, followed by comedian and co-host of the Two Vegan Idiots podcast Carl Donnelly, also in The Market House.
The festival after party begins at 6pm.
Founder and event manager Sarah Zeneli said: “Reading Vegan Festival is a fantastic event to raise awareness in the community about veganism and to showcase it as the fun, friendly and cruelty-free lifestyle that it is.
“We are also very excited to be working with The Market House again who are turning completely vegan for the event.
“This year we will also be expanding down the whole length of Broad Street, so will be taking over even more of the town centre.”
Reading Vegan Festival takes place in Market Place, Market House, and across Broad Street from 11am on Saturday, September 16.
The event is free to attend, and more details are available via: sparkleveganevents.com/readingveganfestival
