Welcome to the heart of plant‑powered energy — Kale Krew Hits Kentucky VegFest is your front‑row pass to the most vibrant vegan gathering in the Bluegrass State! 🎉 We landed in Louisville to soak up the sunshine, meet the tastemakers, and dive into the flavors, stories, and mission behind this electric celebration of compassion.

This year’s VegFest, hosted by VegKentucky, transforms the Mellwood Art Center into a plant‑based playground full of food, art, activism, and community. (Yes, if you want more info or the full vendor list, check out https://vegkentucky.org/vegfest

What’s Poppin’ at VegFest?

From the moment we arrive, the buzz is impossible to ignore. Vendors from as near as Louisville and as far as Indianapolis flock to this all‑vegan festival to show off their culinary genius. Take Black Leaf Vegan, for example — their “BFC” (that’s Butter Fried Chicken, vegan style) plate with mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, and coleslaw had a line backing up all day. Or peek at the Vegan Joint booth, churning out loaded fries, shrimp po’ boys, wings, and more with total crowd worship.

Then there’s 721 Minted, serving cold‑pressed juice magic — ginger, apple, lemon, vanilla bean, and clove all danced together in one sip. And who can skip the nitrogen‑frozen nice cream station, where almond milk and coconut cream transform into silky dessert in seconds — science meets indulgence.

We also got to meet the soul of the festival: the people behind it all. Celebrated chef Todd Anderson showed off his skills to a packed house including social media star Dom Thompson and Kale My Name's Nemanja Golubovic, aka the Kale Crew. They interview the participants with fire, humor, and heart. Todd, known for his incredible recipes with turnips and mushrooms, walked us through making lion’s mane tacos (yes, with dehydrated mushrooms!). Dom, meanwhile, was deep in the storytelling — sharing his 25‑year vegan journey, weaving compassion and activism into every anecdote.

And, let’s not forget the courageous vendors telling deeper stories: a Sri Lankan spice family bringing true Ceylon cinnamon, festival founders recounting how they scaled the event from a food truck dream to a full‑blown indoor/outdoor spectacle, and even the founder of Louisville Vegan Jerky explaining how they overtook Whole Foods charts nationwide.

Why This Fest Matters

Louisville VegFest isn’t a one‑and‑done food event — it’s a statement. From panels, workshops, and cooking demos to the jam-packed vendor marketplace (19,000+ sq ft of indoor space), it’s designed to educate, empower, and unite folks of all backgrounds. The festival is free and open to everyone — vegan veterans, curious newcomers, families, activists — with the goal of showing just how joyful, inclusive, and delicious plant‑based living can be.

At UnchainedTV's Kale Crew, we’re not just eating or filming — we’re on a mission: to capture the energy, elevate these voices, and share with you the magic, the flavor, and the stories behind the faces. So hang tight, because in the next segments, we’re diving into taco demos, power talks, and behind‑the‑scenes goodness you won’t want to miss.

Let’s go! 🌱