EVENTS: Vegfestuk

Food, music, cookery, comedy and much more, filled with fruits, vegetables and seeds – all in one place

It’s Christmas come early for all of you food-lovers, with one of Europe’s biggest veggie events in town this weekend. With around 125 stalls, all offering remarkable wares in the form of food, clothes, bodycare, fashion and accessories, campaigning merchandise and gift ideas, shopping is only the beginning of what’s available at the Hove Centre.

Whether you’re a vegetarian, a vegan or simply a meat-eater looking to reduce your meat intake, there are recipe ideas to be had at the cookery demonstrations, as well as a variety of talks and workshops on a number of subjects aimed at everyone from kids’ fun cooking ideas, to a few more challenging ideas to play around with.

Other events on offer to entertain include a bodybuilders strength competition, a speed dating session, and an array of kids’ cookery classes and entertainment on Sunday.

Live performances are worth checking details of too, as special guests comedians Andrew O’Neill, Dave Spikey and Sarah Pascoe will be sharpening their veggie wits for your delights, and music shows came courtesy of Tensheds, Paul Carella, Macka B and a variety of other talented sound-smiths. Two celebrity nutritionists Juliet Gellatley (Viva!) and Yvonne Bishop-Weston (Foods for Life) will also be on hand to deliver talks, and if that wasn’t enough there’s a cinema showing a number of films both days, including Vegucated, Forks Over Knives, and Planeat.

Perfect for when you want to put your feet up and maybe start munching some of your delicious fresh produce lunch.

It’s all free, and easy to get to, so whether you’re coming for the education, the stalls or the entertainment, there’s enough to keep any family busy for a couple of days out.

Vegfest, Hove Centre, Saturday 16 March–Sunday 17 March, 11am–6pm, free – donations welcome.