Community Corner

Royal Oak Woman Promotes VegFest for Healthful Living

Wendy Jones is on a mission to to introduce the vegan lifestyle to the masses.

If you've ever been curious about living a vegan lifestyle, this Sunday's VegFest is your chance to check out speakers, panelists and raw-food demonstrators.

"VegFest is a celebration of healthful living and treating the planet and animals the best we can," event chair Wendy Jones said.

Tasty vegan cuisine from local restaurants and bakeries will be the stars at VegFest at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.

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Here in Royal Oak, where Jones is a resident, she says the city has a lot of great vegan resources from restaurants, such as and , to shopping destinations like the and . She points out that there is even a vegan cupcake option at . But Jones is on a mission to introduce the vegan lifestyle to people beyond our town and provide the tools to do it.

A record-breaking crowd of nearly 4,000 people attended last year’s VegFest. Jones is hoping for 5,000 attendees this year.

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“We get quite a mix, from people that want to eat healthier or for prevention reasons, to people that are interested in animals or the environment,” Jones said. And kids are welcome, too. There will be children’s acts, arts and crafts and a veggie mascot to entertain little ones.

The main reason people attend VegFest, however, may simply be to eat. Fifty restaurants will be giving away bite-size samples, Jones said.

"There is an energy that happens at this event,” Jones said. “We work hard to make it a positive event for people who want to learn more and share. Even if you don’t want to go vegan, it’s a way to learn to eat better.”

About VegFest

VegFest takes place 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday at Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi.

Admission is $10 at the door, $5 for students, free for children under 6 and VegMichigan members. Parking is $5 per vehicle. For memberships, advance discounted tickets and information on sponsorship, exhibiting, volunteering or the day's schedule, contact VegMichigan at 877-778-3464 or visit www.vegmichigan.org.

Speakers include:

  • Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States
  • John Salley, NBA champ
  • Dr. Richard Oppenlander, author and sustainability activist
  • Dr. Joel Kahn, DMC preventive cardiology and wellness director


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