Over 2,000 Visitors Expected at Fifth Annual Mad City Vegan Fest

Madison, Wis., April 7, 2015 — The fifth annual Mad City Vegan Fest will take place at the Goodman Community Center on Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 10 am to 5 pm. The free event features renowned speakers, cooking demonstrations, exhibitors, a raffle and delicious food (free samples and larger portions for purchase).

Last year’s fest drew over 2,000 local and out-of-town visitors. Fest organizer Gina Stuessy said, “It’s a great opportunity for the public to learn more about protecting animals, the environment, and their health. Everyone is welcome — from omnivores who are just curious, to longtime vegans and vegetarians.”

This year’s speakers include authors Kristin Lajeunesse and Matt Ruscigno. With a passion for food, Lajeunesse quit her job in 2011 and traveled the country to eat at and write about every vegan restaurant in the U.S. She’ll share her experiences and explain how her adventures changed her life. Ruscigno is a registered dietitian who will talk about the rising popularity of veganism with athletes and what a healthy diet for an athlete looks like.

“A highlight for me is always the tasty food you can buy at the fest from local restaurants,” said Stuessy. “Last year we had six food vendors serving everything from vegan wings, jambalaya, and mac and cheese to vegan ice cream and chocolate cake. There are also lots of free samples to try.”

Mad City Vegan Fest is a project of Alliance for Animals and the Environment. A complete list of speakers, exhibitors and vendors can be found at www.veganfest.org.

About the organization:
Alliance for Animals and the Environment is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in Madison in 1983. The group works on behalf of non-human animals and the environment to expose and eliminate unethical practices throughout Wisconsin. Campaigns include veganism, antivivisection, companion animals, animals in entertainment, and wildlife. Volunteers and members advocate through leafleting, presentations, media outreach, legal reform actions, tabling, events, and person-to person advocacy.