‘Good health makes people happy’: Veggie Fest in Lisle offers food, fun, meditation

If health is wealth, then Veggie Fest is ready to help you feel a little richer.

The 16th annual event, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8-9, at Danada South Park in Lisle, features an array of wellness programs and speakers offering tips to help you live your best life.

“It is amazing. It is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the world. There's a lot of good stuff focusing on health and wellness,” said volunteer Jonathan Kruger of Wheaton. “When we first started we had maybe 500 people attend. This year we are expecting 40,000.”

The festival features international cuisine, leading experts on wellness and meditation, vendors with the latest information on plant-based products and merchandise, live music and cultural performances, cooking demonstrations and family-friendly activities.

“We have a huge children’s program. Families love to attend because there are so many cool things happening,” Kruger said.

The festival is sponsored by The Science of Spirituality International Meditation Center in Lisle, led by Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, who will be one of the featured speakers. The center, which welcomes 10,000 visitors a month, according to Kruger, offers programs focused on meditation and service to humanity.

“The meditation center is one of the jewels of DuPage County,” Kruger said.

Meditation plays a big part in the festival as well. There will be a tent set up where visitors will learn tips and techniques for meditating and resources to learn how to make your experience better. There also will be a focus on yoga and calming the mind.

In addition to programs that feed your mind, Veggie Fest is about feeding your stomach, too. There will be chefs, cookbook authors, and coaches from around the world offering free vegetarian, vegan, and raw food demonstrations both days, as well as information on how to live the vegetarian lifestyle.

“We have so much food,” Kruger said. “Everything is either vegan or vegetarian options. We have doctors and other speakers who will talk about being a vegetarian.”

There also will be plenty of entertainment throughout the large festival grounds, including performances Saturday by School of Rock Naperville from 1:30-2:30 p.m., Brother John Kattke from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and Gizzae from 6-8 p.m. Sunday’s musical lineup features Leandra Dielle from noon to 12:45 p.m., Bianca Schramm from 12:45-1 p.m., School of Rock Lemont from 1:30-2:30 p.m., Rico from 3:30-5:30 p.m. (with a special guest performance by accordionist Richard Daza from 4:30-4:45), and Gizzae from 6-8 p.m.

“You can sit in the food tent and enjoy the musical performances,” Kruger said.

And all of it is free — admission, programs, food, parking — largely thanks to the volunteers who come out to support the festival.

“We have 1,200 volunteers from 30 different countries that come out to help,” Kruger said. “We have a team of people in the parking lot and the medical tent. The food court alone has 400 volunteers.”

While Veggie Fest may seem like any other festival full of good food and fun entertainment, its message goes a little deeper, according to Kruger. It's all about learning to live a healthier lifestyle.

“People are seeking wellness and happiness. Good health makes people happy. Focusing on exercise, meditation and healthy eating can lead to healthier and happier lives.”

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16th annual Veggie Fest

When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8-9

Where: Danada South Park, Lisle; free parking is available near the festival at Navistar, 2701 Navistar Circle, Lisle

Cost: Free

Details: veggiefestchicago.org