Dedication, creative vision, and passion. The Twin Cities Veg Fest planning committee is short on none, and it shows—our festival has grown to be the largest Veg Fest in the Midwest, attracting over 9,000 attendees in 2018.

Some members are serving on the committee for the first time, while others have returned to help make this year’s festival the biggest and best yet and they can’t wait for you to experience it. This week, meet part of the team behind this year’s festival.

Lydia Green

What’s your role on the festival planning committee?

I’m the Sponsorship Coordinator. My primary focus is to recruit sponsors from past and new exhibitors as well as research and pursue new sponsorship opportunities. 

How did you get involved with Twin Cities Veg Fest?  

This is my first year volunteering with the Twin Cities Veg Fest and I was looking for options to get more involved. 

If you’ve been or helped organize before, what is your favorite part of the festival and what, if anything, is going to be different this year? 

This is my first time volunteering, and I’m looking forward to a fun and successful Twin Cities Veg Fest. 

What (or who) drew you to living a veg lifestyle?

I was drawn to the vegan lifestyle for a number of reasons—animal rights, the environment, and health. About four years ago, I essentially went vegan overnight after watching a speech by Gary Yourofsky. 

When you’re not working on planning the festival, what are you up to?  

I work full-time for a local nonprofit. I also enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and traveling. 

Fred Tio

What’s your role on the festival planning committee?

I’m coordinating the electrical needs for the festival. My focus for this year is to design a new electrical plan, as we are using different areas of Harriet Island park. This gives us the opportunity to use permanent power and eliminate the use of generators.

My goal is that this new electrical design can be easily expanded to serve the growing needs of the festival. 

How did you get involved with Twin Cities Veg Fest?  

I simply asked if they needed help with the electrical for last year’s festival and I had a few friends also helping.

If you’ve been or helped organize before, what is your favorite part of the festival?

For several years I was involved with the Jaycees. They did all kinds of projects, the biggest was the Tunnel of Terror. My favorite parts of the are the food and friends.

What (or who) drew you to living a veg lifestyle?

About four years ago I watched Forks Over Knives and changed diet with in a week. Six months later I joined a meetup group called “Everyone Vegan”. From there I met others in CAA.

When you’re not working on planning the festival, what are you up to?  

In my working life, I’m an electrician. In my spare time, I’m the treasurer for my local 12 step Intergroup. I enjoy camping, getting on my bicycle during the warm weather, and spending time with my new partner Suzanne and other folks in the vegan/plant-based world.

Emma Cameron

What’s your role on the festival planning committee?

My role is the Non-Foods Exhibitor Coordinator. I recruit and follow up with all potential exhibitors, ranging from animal non-profits, to clothing vendors, and more!  

How did you get involved with Twin Cities Veg Fest?  

I got involved through seeing the Facebook post advertising the recruitment of folks to the planning committee. This is my first year helping out with Twin Cities Veg Fest. 

If you’ve been or helped organize before, what is your favorite part of the festival and what, if anything, is going to be different this year? 

I’ve actually never been to the festival before! My first time attending will also be my first time helping to plan it. 

What (or who) drew you to living a veg lifestyle?

I was drawn to helping animals when I was 15 years old in 2008, which led me in quick succession to try vegetarianism, veganism, and then becoming more active for animals through volunteering. Fun fact: I was first motivated to take animals off my plate when I watched videos of undercover investigation footage from Mercy For Animals, and I now work full-time at the organization in campaigns! 

When you’re not working on planning the festival, what are you up to?  

As I mentioned above, my career is in animal advocacy—I currently work at Mercy For Animals. I’m also a passionate long-distance runner, in the form of training for ultramarathons. I had a 50 mile race in mid-July and then my first 100 mile race slated for October of this year!

Arthur Goldstein

What’s your role on the festival planning committee?

As CAA’s Tech lead, I help ensure that the website is running.

How did you get involved with Twin Cities Veg Fest?  

As Outdoor Activities volunteer, I plan to set up volleyball and other sports and games at the festival. 

If you’ve been or helped organize before, what is your favorite part of the festival and what, if anything, is going to be different this year? 

I told Laura that I thought there should be volleyball at the festival. I set it up in 2018. I’m not sure yet what will be different but am open to suggestions. 

What (or who) drew you to living a veg lifestyle?

My uncle helped inspire me to become a vegetarian. 

When you’re not working on planning the festival, what are you up to?  

I am a software developer and am involved with Toastmasters. I like to visit New Jersey where I lived for many years and want to be doing more outdoors.

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Twin Cities Veg Fest is our biggest event of the year, and we need lots of enthusiastic volunteers to help make it a success. Sign up here to be a volunteer and help make this awesome vegan Minnesota get together happen!