100,000-Square-Foot Vegan Block Party Hits LA

New festival Vegan Playground will occupy one square block of downtown Los Angeles on June 16. Event organizers Vegan Hard aim to unite the LA community with plant-based food, music, and art. The festival features more than 60 vegan vendors, an “inner-beauty” pageant, and various art installations in Pershing Square park. “[The park] was perfect with a playground and a roller skating rink,” Vegan Hard co-founder Jane David told VegNews. “There’s even a giant chess board. You’ll really get to feel like a kid again.” LA-based actress Jillian Rose Reed and rapper Jallal will appear at the event, along with vegan speakers, social media influencers, and performers. “It’s a very collaborative festival,” David said. “There are so many vegans, vegan-friendly options, and events in LA. There is no competition; we all follow the same mission.” Festival tickets range from $22 for general admission to $44 for VIP. The vegan festival scene in Los Angeles will expand further this year when Miami-based SEED Food & Wine Festival and LA-based festival Eat Drink Vegan collaborate on a week-long event that debuts at the end of May.