Triangle Vegfest (our flagship festival) is coming up THIS Sunday at Durham Central Park. We have a great lineup of vendors ready for you to shop small. You can see the live map and vendor list by clicking here.

Triangle Vegfest is once again presented by Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge.

Triangle Vegfest is Sunday

The festival that started it all is this Sunday at Durham Central Park in Durham, NC. If you're close by, please join us and support us and our vendors. The festival is from 12pm to 5pm. Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge is our Presenting Sponsor.

This newsletter will be short and sweet. I have a bunch of stuff to do for Sunday with the main focus on social media.

There have been posts on Instagram discussing the lack of support of vegan restaurants around the country. I want to focus on one piece of running a business that people might not realize is like a full-time job on top of running a restaurant.

Social media. That's it. Creating and posting to your social media is one of the most important roles that a business has to do. The problem is that social media is not easy. You can't post some words and call it a day. You have to create, you have to be creative, you have to post daily. You need to catch the attention of the public and hope they see what you posted.

At this point social media is about 90% of what I do.

Can you imagine a restaurant trying to stay open, needing to do social media, but they don't have the skill set, the time, or the money to do it? It's happening.

I'm going to make a suggestion, please create for your favorite restaurants (and vegan businesses) and post to your own social media and add them as a collab. It helps. You can be what these businesses need. We can make a difference and help keep their doors open. It can be a photo. It can be a reel. Just be positive and help get the word out about why people need to patronize these businesses.

Sound like a good idea? Feel free to tag @vegfestexpos on Instagram and I'll be happy to share about any vegan business located anywhere in the world.

I hope to see you on Sunday! It's going to be a fantastic festival.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that today is September 11. It's 25 years since the towers are gone. The towers always symbolized home for me. May those that were lost on this day 25 years ago rest in peace and may those of us still around, never forget.

Shana Tova to those that celebrate, it's the Jewish New Year.

Vegan and Animal Professionals Insurance Agency is the world's only full-service, vegan-run insurance brokerage. Started in 2016 by an animal rights advocate, we provide all lines of coverage - from commercial liability to employee benefits - to mission aligned enterprises. We work with restaurants, rescues, animal rights organizations, and everything in between. Please visit our site and fill out the contact form to discuss further or get a quote.

Right now, this is for commercial lines only so if you know a business that wants to work with an ethical vegan, then send them this info and if you are a vegan business, this is the best way to keep your dollars within the vegan community. We all need insurance so get a quote today! Please make sure under the referral section that you select Vegfest Expos.

Important Stuff Right Here

Coming up on this weekend on Sunday is Triangle Vegfest then on 9/27 we head to Syracuse, NY for Syracuse Vegfest.

Vendors, get registered for the fall festivals so you don't miss out!

I created a poll that I am asking for serious feedback. Why do you attend the festivals? What gets you out the door on the event day? What are you looking forward to the most? What is missing that would tip the scales? We especially want to hear from you if you are not vegan yet. How do we get more people in the door that are not vegan?

We are looking for Brand Ambassadors. Fill out this form and we will be in touch soon!

We created a Fourthwall shop. You can click this link to see what designs we have up. There's t-shirts, hoodies, and long sleeve shirts in many colors to choose from. If you love pickleball, I have some designs for you to sport while playing. Every purchase supports the nonprofit. Thanks for checking it out.

Whimsy Wares has been updated with all new plate and bowl designs. These adorably themed designs would be super fun to eat off of or out of or just to have on a decorative shelf in your house. Remember, all of the designs can be customized with a name. Check out the website and let us know what you think or even better, we hope you love them so much that you place an order. All funds go towards the nonprofit.

Meet the maestro of the meadow. Dressed in his dapper waistcoat and perched upon a mossy woodland log, The Musical Hare strums a sweet banjo tune among the clovers. Whether displayed as wall art, used to serve everyday treats, or set as a whimsical conversation starter at your next dinner gathering, this piece brings warmth, melody, and vintage woodland wonder into your home.

The plates and bowls are unbreakable! They are also free from any chemicals!

You can also design your own plate. Go have fun designing. If you need help, reach out.

Weekly News Items

If you're a vendor and are interested in joining us at any of other events, please click here. We have moved all the events to Marketspread. Volunteers can fill out this form. I will send reminders. The links below will be updated as the events open. We have a vendor page on our website that has been updated as well.

Triangle Vegfest - Sept 13, 2026 - Durham, NC (outdoors/open)

Syracuse Vegfest - Sept 27, 2026 - Syracuse, NY (indoors)

Sip N Spice Fundraising Dinner - Oct 11, 2026 - Morrisville, NC (open)

Asheville Fall - Oct 25, 2026 - Asheville, NC (outdoors/open)

Georgia Vegfest - November 7, 2026 - Cobb County Civic Center - GA (indoors/open)

The DC Vegfest - April 2027 - Nats Park - DC (opening by Sept)

Asheville Veganfest Spring - June 6, 2027 - Pack Square Park (opens in Jan)

Asheville Veganfest Fall - October 24, 2027 - Pack Square Park (opens in May)

The Refuge is our September Sponsor of the Month

Our love for Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge never waivers. Once again, they are the Presenting Sponsor of Triangle Vegfest and have been since we started in 2014. Their annual gala is coming up on November 15. You can get tickets by clicking here. They are also hosting a a Three Little Pigs 5K trail run on October 10. You can register for the run by clicking here.

Every time you support this incredible sanctuary you are helping them care for over 100 farmed animals and their campaign to save pigs to add them to the mix of animals that call The Refuge home.

You can also see the documentary created by Alison Argo, Forever Home. They are hosting a streaming party, 9/26 - 10/3, and 25% of the funds will be donated back to The Refuge. The film is about Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge and features Lenore and Paul. It's a lovely film. You can get your ticket by clicking here. On October 3 you can join in on a live chat with Alison, Paul, and Lenore.

Let's Get Cooking with our Recipe of the Week: Cookie Skillet

This week's recipe is courtesy of VegNews and Dustin Harder.

Sometimes you crave a cookie. This salted chocolate chip cookie skillet is the perfect way to curve your cravings. Plus, it's a great way to eat your favorite ice cream. Get the recipe here. 

Are you going to make this? Let us know what you think and tag us on your socials with a picture of the finished product! #vegfestexposrecipes