ICT Veg Fest drew big crowd in the fall. It returns this weekend and will be even bigger
Last summer, CM Goodies owner Nicole Mullen — frustrated with her inability to find vegan and gluten-free vendors around town — decided she’d fix the problem herself.
She organized a festival that would bring those vendors together and help other locals trying to lead wheat-free and meat-free lifestyles find resources. If she got 15 vendors, she decided, she’d consider it a success.
Now, as she prepares to put on her second ICT Veg Fest, Mullen said she underestimated demand.
Her first event, which happened in August last year at Blood Orchards, 6346 S. Broadway, attracted 54 vendors and nearly 1,000 attendees. It was such a hit that Mullen has since decided to make the ICT Veg Fest a twice-a-year event. The next one happens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at Blood Orchards.
“It really just kind of blew up,” said Mullen, whose CM Goodies sells vegan and gluten-free baked goods. “I had such a huge response from it that I was just overwhelmed and excited, too. It just really opened my eyes to how much Wichita and the surrounding area is really wanting and needing access to these products and wanting to support local.”
Sunday’s event will feature nearly 70 vendors selling food, pet treats, soaps, jewelry, candles, CBD items, plants and more.
Food is what draws many attendees, though, and there will be plenty of it. Several vegan chefs will be there selling ready-to-eat meals, including Parrishon Hardgraves of Sol Food, Nicole Williams of Eat of the Earth, and Cheyenne Bullock of Shea’s Sol Kitchen, who is also about to open a vegan food business at the Towne West Square food court.
The festival will also include plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free baked goods, jams, jellies, cold-pressed juices and more that are packaged and ready to take home.
Vendors will be set up both inside and outside of the venue at Blood Orchards, Mullen said. Admission is free.
Mullen — who also is about to open a new cafe and collective called Sunflour in Wichita — said her plan is to bring the festival back again for a fall installation, likely in August or September. Wichita’s growing vegan and vegetarian community seem to be demanding it.
“It’s growing daily,” she said. “It amazes me how many people are interested and want to make that change, even if it’s only two or three meals out of the week.”
ICT Veg Fest vendors
This story was originally published March 22, 2022 at 1:24 PM.
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