The second annual Hudson Valley Vegfest will take place November 3 and 4, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, in the 42,000-square-foot events space at Gold’s Fitness Center in Poughkeepsie. Sponsored by the Institute for Animal Happiness, this festival celebrates the benefits of vegan living and explores the issues that drive the vegan movement, from food justice to human health concerns to protecting animals and the environment.

Last year’s Vegfest drew 2,500 attendees, and organizers say the response is an indication of growing interest in veganism and plant-based options, as more people in the Hudson Valley become aware of the beneficial aspects of making these choices.

This year’s festival will feature more than 80 vendors—both local and from around the country—representing a wide array of products and services, including various vegan foods, chefs, authors and innovators, and businesses and nonprofit organizations devoted to change. The lineup of speakers and presentations includes voices from across the spectrum of inclusive and compassion-based activism, such as Alyssa Miller (Deafinitely Vegan); Michael Suchman and Ethan Ciment (Vegan Mos); Omowale Adewale (founder of Black Vegfest and GAMENYC); Carmen Ng and Evelyn Li (Ocka Treats); Robert Grillo (author and founder of Free From Harm); Scott David (Compassion Over Killing); Gretchen Primack (activist and poet); Heather Stadler (Official Fat Vegan); and Dr. Milton Mills (featured in the Netflix film What the Health).



And once again this year, Hudson Valley Vegfest will produce zero waste thanks to its partnership with local service Zero to Go. Only six bags of trash from last year’s festival went to the landfill; everything else was composted or recycled.



Among the festival sponsors are WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST, MadeGood, Zero to Go, and Vegan and Animal Professionals Insurance.

Cost: $10 per ticket or $15 for a two-day pass. Children 10 and under free. Veterans $5 (cash at door only). Location: 258 Titusville Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY. For more info, visit HVVegfest.org or InstituteForAnimalHappiness.com.