Rochester VegFest returns on Sunday, August 24, 2025, bringing a full day of education, connection, and celebration to Parcel 5 in downtown Rochester. This free outdoor festival invites everyone—vegans, the veg-curious, families, food lovers, and change-makers—to explore the power of plant-based living.
With inspiring speakers, engaging cooking demonstrations, a wide range of vegan food and retail vendors, and live music throughout the day, VegFest 2025 promises to be a highlight of the summer.
2025 Theme: Compassion in Action: Eat Plants! Save the Planet!
This year’s theme reflects the urgency and opportunity of our times: the choices we make—especially around food—can help heal the planet, save animals, and improve human health. VegFest celebrates this message by showcasing practical, joyful, and delicious ways to live with compassion.
Full Program Schedule
10:00 AM – Yoga with Jennifer Arena (Yoga Love of Honeoye Falls)
Begin the day with a grounding and energizing yoga session.
10:30 AM – Guest Speaker: Adam Durand
Animal rights advocate and filmmaker shares insights from years of activism.
11:20 AM – Food Demo: Chef Caryn Dugan & Dr. Jim Loomis
Followed by a musical performance from Sage Bava.
12:10 PM – Guest Speaker: Dr. Thomas Campbell
Physician, author, and expert in nutrition and lifestyle medicine.
1:00 PM – Food Demo: Chef Caryn Dugan & Dr. Jim Loomis
Sage Bava returns with a second set of soulful jazz and R&B.
1:50 PM – Guest Speaker: Dr. Jim Loomis
Medical Director of the Barnard Medical Center and a leading voice in plant-based health.
2:40 PM – Food Demo: Chef Anthony Miller (The Veg-E-Table)
Accompanied by live music from ROB.DOE and DJ IMPOZIBLE.
3:30 PM – ROC Vegan Entrepreneurs Panel
A conversation with local plant-based business leaders:
Natasha Siplin (Soulistic Sweets)
Rob Nipe (Grass Fed Vegan Butcher)
Janessa Steenberg (Panacheeza)
Kaptah Xi-Amaru (B+Healthy Fresh Food Market)
Moderated by Dan Schrack of 13WHAM News
Featured Presenters
Caryn Dugan & Dr. Jim Loomis
Co-hosts of The Doc & Chef, a popular video series combining culinary creativity and medical insights.
Chef Anthony Miller
Founder of The Veg-E-Table, a food company committed to flavorful, affordable vegan options.
Adam Durand
Filmmaker and activist recognized for his animal rights investigations.
Dr. Thomas M. Campbell
Co-author of The China Study and co-director of the UR Medicine Nutrition in Medicine Research Center.
Dr. Jim Loomis
A trusted voice in lifestyle medicine and plant-based nutrition.
Live Music Performances
Sage Bava – Soulful jazz and R&B sets at 11:20 AM and 1:00 PM
ROB.DOE & DJ IMPOZIBLE – Energetic and conscious hip-hop at 2:40 PM
Additional Resources from the VegFest Team
Roc Vegan Savings Card – Save money at vegan-friendly businesses in the region.
Roc Vegan Guide – Explore local restaurants offering plant-based menus.
FLX Vegan Wine Trail – Discover wineries in the Finger Lakes offering vegan wines.
Why Attend?
Rochester VegFest is more than just a festival—it’s a community gathering rooted in compassion, sustainability, and health. Whether you’re looking for new recipes, curious about veganism, seeking connection, or simply want to enjoy great food and music, VegFest offers something meaningful for all.
Come for the food. Stay for the community. Leave inspired.
Rochester VegFest is a joint project of Animal Rights Rochester (ARRoc) and Rochester Area Vegan Society (RAVS), bringing together volunteers, businesses, and nonprofits to promote ethical living, environmental sustainability, and plant-based health through a vibrant community festival.
Website: rocvegfestny.org
Instagram: instagram.com/rocvegfest
Facebook: facebook.com/RocVegFest