Veggie Fest 2015 kicks off in Lisle

Kristin Nave says she's always looking for ways to get her 4-year-old daughter, Karis, to eat foods that are healthy.

The Naperville mom got plenty of creative ideas Saturday during the opening day of Veggie Fest 2015 on the campus of Benedictine University in Lisle.

The free event - considered one of the largest vegetarian food and lifestyle festivals in North America - includes speakers, live music, cooking demonstrations, and food vendors selling culinary creations that can make even a devoted carnivore hungry.

"We're pretty healthy, but there's things that I've never heard of here - new foods, new restaurants that have healthy foods," Nave said as her daughter enjoyed large watermelon slices. "I just love it."

Started a decade ago, Veggie Fest is a celebration of the vegetarian lifestyle and strives to promote good food and healthy living, organizers say.

Jonathan Kruger, one of the festival coordinators, said the more than 30,000 visitors expected to attend the two-day event will be able to sample a wide variety of vegetarian dishes.

"People here are vegetarian in the broad sense," Kruger said. "So we have some people who are vegan. We have some who are lacto vegetarian. Some are just looking to incorporate some aspect of the vegetarian lifestyle and diet into their current lifestyle."

Carmen Holmes, a raw foodist from Harvey, says she enjoys coming to the festival each year to hear various speakers and learn different recipes.

"It's a way to get new ideas and give some ideas," Holmes said. "It's a sharing experience."

Marge Rahfeldt isn't a vegetarian. Still, the Elgin resident says she enjoyed the "meatball sliders" and "chicken and rice" she ate for lunch - even though both dishes didn't have meat.

"(The chicken substitute) tasted really good," Rahfeldt said. "It even had a texture like chicken."

In addition to the food court, a list of vendors are showing off various types of products during the festival. There's also a children's tent with activities, music and a parade.

While vegetarian food is the main focus, attendees also can hear speakers talk about meditation and spiritual fitness.

Veggie Fest continues 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday on the Benedictine University campus, 5700 College Road, in Lisle. Free parking is available on the site.

For details, visit veggiefestchicago.com.