The Bristol Vegan Fayre, first staged in November 2003, and the forerunner to 2 decades of indoor and outdoor vegan events in Bristol, Brighton and London, is set to return to Bristol in the Autumn of 2023 as the founders celebrate 20 years in the business with this iconic event. Held at DOCUMENT in Bristol, weekend September 2nd 3rd 23, the event is set to see over 100 independent vegan traders and charities alongside a chill out room, kids’ area and an all-star comedy line-up, with some live music and food demos to accompany. With room for up to 5,000 visitors over the weekend, entrance is free to the public with tickets in advance and expected to be at capacity both days.
“It’s a thrill to be back in Bristol 20 years on from our first show” the organisers acknowledge, “and even more so to be going back to our roots with a free event and no more than 120 traders maximum. After years pre lockdown of doing large indoor events at Olympia and The Brighton Centre, it’s a real treat to be staging the Bristol Vegan Fayre again after such a long gap. This iconic event in 2003 was the start of a massive rise in vegan events – back then it was almost the only one, and by 2019 there were over 300 regional vegan events following the same model as the BVF ’03. And now we are back and it will be a focus on fun and food and free to get in – sorted.”
Tickets are free and available from the website www.vegfest.co.uk from mid-summer, and meanwhile Trader’s applications are opening with an anticipated big demand for spots. ‘It’s been a tough climate for independent traders recently, and especially within the plant-based market as so many options have now gone mainstream and into the multiples’ add the organisers. ‘Pre covid these events were the backbone of a livelihood for many, and we are beginning to see that return now after the long years of lockdown and subsequent factors. And it’s really important the event is free to the public – not only do we want to bring some good times to the community but also try and entice a few more people into adopting plant-based lifestyles. The current climate crisis demands just that – but we can have a really uplifting time doing that and the Bristol Vegan Fayre will be just that – uplifting, entertaining, inspirational, educational and a whole heap of fun alongside some fabulous food!
