The North East’s Biggest Vegan Festival is Back

^Image Credit: Keira Gratton

The North East Vegan Festival returns this Sunday, November 3 from 10.30 am to 4 pm at Gateshead International Stadium, offering a variety of culinary stalls, speakers and workshops for vegans and curious foodies.

Known as NEVFEST, the event is organised by Farplace Animal Rescue to raise funds for their animal welfare and rewilding programs.

NEVFEST’s itinerary features talks from prominent vegan and environmental activists including Influencer Inga Lightley, Activist John Awen and Dalton Moor Farm Representatives.

Most famously, representatives from the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, formerly Sea Shepherd UK, will be speaking on their name change and arrest of Captain Watson for radical anti-whaling action.

Whist unavailable for comment, Chief Operating Officer Rob Read called the split from Sea Shepherd Global an “exciting new chapter” that ensures the group “maintains our independence in the UK”.

 In honour of World Vegan Month this November, other activists will shine a  light on the small daily changes we can make to our diets to help save our planet!

Lightley, hosting talks on Myths on Canine Teeth and Vegan Mayonnaise Recipes, says she wants to help people “strive to mainly eat Whole Food Plant-Based for optimum health and vitality.”

“We need to end all this needless slaughter!”

As well as eco-friendly eating habits, activists like Awen and Newcastle Hunt Saboteurs will speak on the links between animal cruelty and veganism.

Awen, who describes himself as “a concerned and compassionate member of the Human Race” hopes to educate people on “animal killing stats per year” and “how we need to end all this needless slaughter.”

Alongside speakers at the festival, the event also has a roster of sponsors who will be visible around the venue. There will be opportunities to speak with representatives of the Newcastle Hunt Saboteurs, The Hectic Vegan Magazine and more!

Entry will be free for any Under 16s. Standard £4 tickets are available both online and on the door for 10.30 am entry. You can also purchase a £15 VIP ticket for an early 10 am entry and a donation goodie bag.  

Looking to the future, the organisers of NEVFEST will be hosting the Eaglescliffe Xmas Vegan Fair on December 14 at Eaglescliffe Community Centre. Applications for stall bookings, volunteer opportunities and fundraising are now live on their website here.

As well as this, the North Eastern Vegan community is always active, with a host of Facebook groups to join and newsletters to subscribe to. Hunt Saboteurs Association’s newsletter and Farplace Animal Rescue’s Facebook page offer additional resources.  

“What legacy are we leaving the generations to come?”

Awen challenges attendees, “If we don’t change our ways, then what legacy are we leaving the generations to come?”. Visit NEVFEST this weekend for similar insights, food and community.