VegFest Goes Slutty

Being vegan should never mean that you can't be creative in the kitchen."

Attendees can expect a variety of activities too, fit for all ages like a children's area created by a local Girl Scout troop (and yes, some Girl Scout cookies are vegan).

"VegFest is also bringing back free yoga throughout the day, face painting, vegan-inspired clothing, a beer and wine garden, speakers and over 40 vegan vendors, just to name a few," said Hancock.

Through community events like VegFest, Hancock says she has seen the expansion of vegan culture in Pensacola in recent years, with plenty of room left to grow.

"It would be nice to see it flourish more," said Hancock. "I think by creating such a large festival it definitely helps."

Speaking of vegan culture, what about those who are vegan-curious or simply want to enjoy a thriving food festival?

"We are not here only for people who have already chosen this lifestyle," said Hancock. "We started this festival for us but also for people who are curious."

Restaurant founder Pinky Cole's Slutty Vegan has traveled a long way to make it to Pensacola.

Starting in 2018 in Atlanta, Ga., Slutty Vegan was founded as a ghost kitchen to serve vegan food after hours when plant-based options were slim. Pretty soon, the sexy-branded vegan junk food pop-up expanded to food trucks, then a hometown brick-and-mortar and then locations in major cities around the East Coast.

Now, the beloved Black and woman owned brand is headed to Pensacola for the first time to participate in VegFest on Saturday, March 25.

Inweekly spoke with Slutty Vegan's Chief Marketing Officer Christy Mason about their upcoming visit.

"As a brand, when we get a chance to be a part of things that speak to the community and speak to veganism, it's just a perfect marriage for us," said Mason.

"We are as a brand are always interested in doing one of two things, and one is being a part of community events," Mason told Inweekly.

The other is promoting veganism through great food, of course.

"We are a vegetarian or vegan brand that's all about flavor and taste and all the wonderful great things that you can do with veganism. When we have the opportunity to marry those things—veganism with being a part of cultural moments—we make that happen. So we're excited to be a part of VegFest this year."

VegFest attendees can expect a curated menu of some of the best cheekily named junk food treats Slutty Vegan has to offer, and the brand will preview the event's menu in the days leading up to the festival on social media.

"No matter what else is on the menu, we will for sure have our One Night Stands," said Mason. "It is kind of our quintessential Slutty Vegan burger that people have kind of come to expect from us."

The One Night Stand is a plant-based burger topped with vegan bacon, cheese and special slutty sauce. Other possible options include the Sloppy Toppy (with jalapenos), Chick'n Head (fried chick'n with buffalo sauce) or the Fussy Hussy (classic cheeseburger), just to name a few.

Forget to check the menu ahead of time? No worries, as customers will have time to browse the full selection while waiting in the well-known Slutty Vegan line.

"There's almost a bit of consumer pride in being a part of our now famous line—to be able to have that experience and be able to share that. It is 100% a true statement that we generally have lines and part of the fun is that's a little bit of the experience," said Mason.

Interested to see what all the fuss is about, but not living the vegan lifestyle? No worries— Slutty Vegan and VegFest both welcome all.

"We continue to provide really great delicious vegan food for consumers who already kind of fall into that, you know, dietary set, but it also introduces veganism to a subset of consumers who words and reframe what veganism means is just a really powerful and fun and really kind of sexy narrative to have because it did does get people talking."

More On Vegfest

Founded in 2018, Pensacola VegFest has persevered through a variety of venues, COVID restrictions and evolutions to make it to where it is today as one of Pensacola's most unique and anticipated annual festivals.

With a small team of organizers, event founder Whitney Hancock is excited to return this year with an even bigger, better festival for Pensacola locals and visitors alike.

"We are going to be seeing a lot of returning faces along with several new faces at this year's VegFest. We have vendors coming from all over, including California, New York and Georgia, just to name a few," said Hancock.

"We are honestly excited to see every vendor; we look forward to our festival food for an entire year at a time."

Though the Slutty Vegan truck may be the most anticipated addition this year, Hancock says attendees can also get excited about new cooking demos, a throwback to the festival's first year back in 2018.

"Cooking demos will happen throughout the day, and we are so excited for them," said Hancock. "Our chefs will be showing us how to cook up vegan meals at home and handing out recipes.

"We say this every year, and every year this is still our focus—veganism is not just about eating salads or some plain raw vegetables. This is about good food, good people and caring about our bodies, home and our animals."

For Hancock, the practice of bringing people together for a vegan food festival is about more than a good meal—it's about building community.

"Food builds community and is the cornerstone to connecting with others. Through food, people build connections, knowledge, happiness and trust. We bring good food to the area just for that purpose, and in doing so, we make such a huge difference in both our home and in the bigger picture." {in}

Pensacola Vegfest 2023

WHAT: A vegan food festival that also features live music, yoga, cooking demos and more

WHEN: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, March 25

WHERE: Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St.

COST: $5 admission, free for kids 12 and under

DETAILS: pensacolavegfest.com, @pensacolavegfest

Slutty Vegan

sluttyveganatl.com, @sluttyveganatl

By Savannah Evanoff