Photo: Photo by Pascal Debrunner

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — SLC VegFest will return to Library Square on Sept. 13, bringing a full day of plant-based food, live music and community events designed to highlight the benefits of vegan living.

The free, family-friendly festival, organized by the Utah Animal Rights Coalition, runs from noon to 8 p.m. and is expected to draw thousands of attendees. Last year’s event drew an estimated 5,000 people.

Festivalgoers will find vegan fare from local restaurants and bakeries, an all-vegan beer garden, a kids’ area, and a slate of speakers and performers.

Speakers and Panels

The program begins at 12:40 p.m. with Avishai El, a holistic health coach and international best-selling author, presenting “Preventing Illness With the Vegan Diet.”

At 1:50 p.m., Amy Motta, Utah State Team Leader for Bailing Out Benji, will speak on “Puppy Mills 101 and Effective Advocacy Strategies.”

Kenzie Bushman of the Better Food Foundation will follow at 3 p.m. with “The Power of Defaults: Transforming Food Systems Without Restricting Choice,” sharing strategies for institutional food policy change.

Vegan bodybuilder and author Robert Cheeke will present “Building Your Body on a Plant-Based Diet” at 4:10 p.m., followed at 5:20 p.m. by Lauren Lockey, co-founder of Sage Mountain Sanctuary, with “Compassion in Action: Saving Animals, Healing the Planet.”

The day will conclude at 6:30 p.m. with a grassroots activism panel featuring local organizers discussing animal rights campaigns, community organizing, and strategies for public awareness.

Live Music

The UARC Stage will host a rotating lineup of local musicians throughout the day.

J and the Outlaws open the festival at 12:05 p.m. with genre-bending original compositions.
JERRICA & the Friendships, a new local trio led by vegan musician Jerrica, will perform at 1:15 p.m.
Groove Deacons, known for funk, blues and surf-inspired grooves, take the stage at 2:25 p.m.
Electricide, a husband-and-wife psych-rock duo, performs at 3:35 p.m.
Bella Woods, a singer-songwriter from Salt Lake City, follows at 4:45 p.m. with folk and indie-influenced acoustic music.
Luv Suni Amor, blending neo-R&B and melodic rap, will perform at 5:55 p.m.
Good Enough for Grunge, a returning favorite covering alt-rock staples from Pearl Jam to No Doubt, will close out the night at 7:05 p.m.

Community Focus

Organizers emphasize that the festival is not only for vegans. Nearly half of last year’s attendees reported not following a vegan diet.

“Our goal is to create a community event where people can learn more about plant-based eating, support local green businesses, and enjoy time with family and friends,” organizers said.

The event, run entirely by volunteers, costs more than $30,000 annually to produce. While admission is free, the Utah Animal Rights Coalition encourages donations to help sustain the festival.

Attendees are urged to use public transit, Green Bike, or cycling to reach Library Square. TRAX stops and bike racks are available on site, and rideshare drop-off is at 200 East and 500 South.

More information, including schedules and vendor details, is available at slcveg.com.