Lancaster VegFest Marks 9th Year with a Mission That’s Bigger Than Food

• Asia Tabb
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  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
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Lancaster Veg Fest JUNE 2018 LNP File Photo

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What started as one woman’s personal mission to advocate for animal welfare has blossomed into one of the most anticipated community events in Lancaster. The 9th annual Lancaster VegFest took place this past weekend, drawing thousands of attendees and over 140 vendors to celebrate plant-based living, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Courtney Kokus, the event’s founder and organizer, said the idea was sparked by her own journey as a vegan and her search for meaningful activism. “I was looking for my place in activism, trying to figure out how I could advocate for animals,” Kokus explained. “I went to the Bethlehem VegFest… and seeing how excited people were and how engaging it was made me realize that I could do something like this.”

After two years of planning, the first Lancaster VegFest launched in 2017 at Musser Park with just 50 vendors and 3,500 attendees — a turnout that exceeded all expectations. “We crammed that tiny park to absolute breaks,” she said with a laugh.

Now in its ninth year, VegFest has grown exponentially, reflecting the community’s increasing appetite for vegan-friendly, socially conscious events. “Over the years, the community has embraced it more and more,” Kokus said. “I’ve built trust… by showing up and making sure we represent Lancaster well — that we continue to be inviting, non-judgmental, and accepting of everybody.”

Lancaster VegFest goes beyond showcasing vegan cuisine. The festival intentionally weaves together themes of animal welfare, environmental sustainability, public health, and social justice.

“I do believe that all of those things are interweaved with veganism,” Kokus said. “While I personally don’t like to occupy a stage, what I do well is building the platform — building the stage for impactful voices to share their knowledge and passion.”

From expert speakers to local artisans, the event serves as a space for education and awareness, amplifying diverse perspectives across the plant-based and social justice movements.