The West Midlands Vegan Festival 2009 will be even bigger and better than last year`s event! It will offer all you need for healthy, cruelty-free, eco-friendly living. You don`t have to be vegan to attend, everyone is welcome! Come and see why people are increasingly adopting a vegan lifestyle. The festival will feature all the following attractions:

--> Free food samples & recipes
--> Over 50 stalls
--> Local & exotic cuisine: caterers include Coventry`s Green Garden Cafe & Shambu`s Kitchen from London
--> Stylish non-animal footwear & clothing
--> 3 talk areas, each with a full programme of speakers, films, workshops etc
--> Cookery demos from top chefs
--> Vegan cafe & bar
--> Live music throughout the day in a separate entertainment room
--> Vegan tattooist
--> Magic show with Kristoff the Clown
--> And so much more...!


VENUE - WULFRUN HALL @ WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC HALL

The festival is being held at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall in the city centre, 10 minutes walk from the train/bus stations. For a map showing the venue, train/bus stations and car parks, click here  http://tinyurl.com/56t2rl

The festival will be open from 11am - 5pm. Admission is just £1, payable at the door. (under 16`s free)


WHY VEGAN?

There are many reasons for going vegan - just as there are for going vegetarian. Being vegetarian helps immeasurably in reducing:

--> animal suffering
--> risks to our own health
--> hunger in the developing world
--> environmental damage

Veganism takes all those advantages alot further. For very many people concerned about any or all of these problems, it seems the natural step to take from vegetarianism. Veganism is great for animals, the planet and yourself - and vegan food is delicious! So what are you waiting for?

Read more about the benefits of veganism on our website  http://www.veganmidlands.org.uk/festival/whyvegan.html


WORLD VEGAN DAY

Every year, the 1st November is World Vegan Day - a day of celebration for vegans everywhere. But this year, the celebrations start early at the West Midlands Vegan Festival.  http://www.worldveganday.org/


WAYS THAT YOU CAN HELP!

--> Display a web banner/link on your website etc.
If you have a website, blog, Myspace etc where you could display a banner link to this site, please see our banners which come in assorted shapes and sizes.  http://www.veganmidlands.org.uk/festival/banners.html

--> Download & distribute our leaflets
Good publicity is essential if we are to attract large numbers to the festival. We need to flood the West Midlands(and beyond) with leaflets, anywhere that there are people who may be interested - so basically anywhere at all! Your school, college, workplace, library, church, community group, health food shop etc etc. Please contact us and order a batch of leaflets. Email your postal address and the amount of leaflets you can use to info (at) veganmidlands.org.uk
Alternatively, download the leaflet here  http://www.veganmidlands.org.uk/festival/downloads/leaflet09.pdf

--> Become our friend on Myspace/Facebook!
We have set up Myspace and Facebook pages for the event. Why not become our friend so you can stay tuned to event updates and forward them to all your friends! Post a comment to pledge your support. In Myspace, add us to your `top friends`! Help spread the word, become our friend right now!  http://www.myspace.com/midlandsveganfestival and  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124243052505

--> Volunteer your time on the big day
We will need lots of help on the day, in many varied ways. Everything from leafletting in the street and handing out our programmes, to clearing tables and washing up! Contact us if you would like to help in any way at all. volunteers (at) veganmidlands.org.uk

--> Sponsor the festival or donate!
Whether you`re a business, organisation or just an individual, you can help us to ensure the event is a big success by becoming a sponsor or by donating whatever you can afford. MVC event co-ordinators are volunteers - all donations received will be ploughed into publicity etc. Please make cheques payable to `Midlands Vegan Campaigns` and post to MVC, PO Box 10202, Redditch, Worcs. B98 8YT. Thankyou!


SPONSORS

We are extremely grateful to the following organisations & companies for sponsoring the festival. Without their support, this event would not be taking place.

--> The Vegan Society  http://www.vegansociety.com
--> Veggie Vision  http://www.veggievision.tv/
--> Viva!  http://www.viva.org.uk
--> Animal Aid  http://www.animalaid.org.uk
--> Bute Island  http://www.buteisland.com
--> Green Garden Cafe  http://www.greengardencafe.co.uk

OUR PREVIOUS EVENTS

Midlands Vegan Campaigns have staged many events since our formation 2 years ago. Here are some of the highlights:

Nov 2007 - Free Vegan Food Fair in Birmingham, attended by 6-700 people. Full report & photos  http://www.veganmidlands.org.uk/news/kingsheath07.html

April 2008 - Free Vegan Food Fair in Lichfield, attended by 5-600 people. Full report & film  http://www.veganmidlands.org.uk/news/lichfield08.html

November 2008 - West Midlands Vegan Festival in Wolverhampton, attended by 1,200 people. Report & photos  http://www.veganmidlands.org.uk/news/festival08.html

May 2009 - Veggie Pride UK in Birmingham, attended by 1,000+ people. Watch films  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vecu3KwXb_s


MORE DETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE

For full details of festival stalls, talks, entertainment, sponsors and for event updates, please see our website  http://www.midlandsveganfestival.org.uk