Though I’ve called the Hawaiian islands home for 13 years now, I am still a midwestern girl at heart. And few places in the world make me happier than Ann Arbor, Michigan. It’s famous for being home to the University of Michigan, but it also means so much more to me: the first all-vegetarian restaurant, my first falafel, my first Indian food, my favorite pizza, and so much more (do you see the theme here?). So it’s appropriate that this veg-friendly city is hosting its very own Veg Week!
During the week of April 22 – 28, the city of Ann Arbor will host it’s very first Ann Arbor Veg Fest to celebrate the benefits of a plant-based diet! Veg Week is an initiative of VegMichigan, the state’s largest, nonprofit vegetarian organization bringing together thousands of people to learn about the benefits of a plant-based diet. Individuals pledge to eat only vegan or vegetarian foods for one week to improve their health, reduce their impact on the environment, and save the lives of animals.
There are many exciting events planned in Ann Arbor, including a Kickoff Event with Mayor John Heiftje and NBA Star and former Detroit Piston John Salley. Other events include a film screening, expert talks, grocery store tours, a vegan potluck and more. Check out some highlights from the Schedule and find some activities that spark your interest!
Events for the Ann Arbor Veg Fest
Monday 4/22:
7:00 PM – Kickoff Event featuring John Salley, former Detroit Piston and Ann Arbor Mayor John Heiftje; at Downtown Home & Garden, 210 S. Ashley St. Light refreshments provided by Trader Joe’s.
Tuesday 4/23:
6:30 PM – Film Vegucated, with special guest Joel Kahn, M.D. (cardiologist); Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown, Multi-purpose Room, 343 S. Fifth Avenue. Vegucated follows three meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks. Following the film, Dr. Kahn will speak about the cardiac benefits of vegan nutrition and mind-body practices.
Wednesday 4/24:
7:00 PM – Jim Corcoran “My Journey to Weight Loss and Improved Health”; at Ann Arbor District Library, Malletts Creek, 3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway. Join Jim Corcoran as he shares his surprisingly easy journey to improved health and lifelong weight loss.
Thursday 4/25:
7:00 PM – Jeff Hampton “Saving the Earth, One Bite at a Time”; Workantile, 118 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Come and see this entertaining, lively, and engaging presentation about how you can change your life and save the planet, one bite at a time!
Friday 4/26:
6:30 PM – Vegan*Community Potluck with special guest Pattrice Jones, author and co-founder of VINE Sanctuary, at Humane Society of Huron Valley, 3100 Cherry Hill Rd., Ann Arbor. Join us for a vegan potluck and hear Pattrice Jones tell stories about her experience founding and running VINE Sanctuary, which provides a haven for animals who have escaped or been rescued from the meat, dairy, and egg industries or other abusive circumstances, such as cockfighting.
Saturday 4/27:
3:00 PM – Pattrice Jones, “Building Alliances Among Animal, Environmental, and Social Justice Activists”; Author talk and book-signing at Nicola’s Books, 2513 Jackson Ave. (Westgate Shopping Center, Ann Arbor. Thinking about factory farming, climate change, and all of the many ways people are recklessly cruel to each other and other animals, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But there are so many things that anybody can do to make a difference!
To learn more about Ann Arbor Veg Week visit the website at Ann Arbor Veg Week or check out Veg Michigan.
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