Veg Fest Vancouver 2013 to occupy three blocks on July 27

Now in its third year, Veg Fest Vancouver continues to grow. (Stephen Hui)

Dozens of businesses and organizations are set to participate in the third edition of Vancouver’s outdoor vegan festival. On July 27, Veg Fest Vancouver 2013 will take over three blocks of Granville Street (between Dunsmuir Street and Smithe Street) in the downtown core.

This year’s vendors include the restaurants Eternal Abundance, Chomp Vegan Eatery, Indigo Food Café, and Sargam House (which opened in May at Saravanaa Bhavan’s former location on West Broadway); the bakeries Edible Flours and Fairy Cakes; the Loving Hut Express food truck; and Caramels by In the Oven, Gardein, Granola Girl, Ki Health & Fitness, LifeBites, Nice Shoes, Varinicey Pakoras, Vegan Yarn, and Zimt Artisan Chocolates. Earthsave Canada, Liberation B.C., Mercy for Animals Canada, Stop UBC Animal Research, Vancouver Rabbit Rescue and Advocacy, and Veganville will be among the organizations present.

Eternal Abundance will be at Veg Fest Vancouver. (Stephen Hui)

The free festival is organized by local nonprofit Saving Animals Canada. According to the event’s website, participating businesses must be vegetarian and bring only vegan products to the fest. “Promotion of dairy, eggs, honey, wool, or other products which come from animals is strictly prohibited, even if your business or organization is not completely vegan,” the vendor requirements state.

In June 2011, the inaugural Veg Fest Vancouver constituted a section of the Main Street Car-Free Festival on Car-Free Vancouver Day. The second edition of the fest occupied Granville Street between West Georgia Street and Robson Street on August 4, 2012. This year’s event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.