Berkeley Ca USA
Great news to all foodies and Vegan fans: Erika Hazel, aka The Bizerkeley Vegan, will host the fourth annual Bizerkeley Food Festival on Sunday, Sept. 1, from 11 am-6 pm at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park. The event has become the largest ALL VEGAN food festival in the Bay Area, and this year promises to be the biggest and best yet, with 100 vendors showcasing everything from food to vegan products and fashion. There will also be live entertainment featuring a live headlining performance by Bay Area hip-hop star, activist, and actor StunnaMan02. Organizer Erika Hazel also promised lots of games and giveaways. Attendees can choose from various ticket options this year, including free entry, general admission, and a VIP Experience, and will receive complimentary swag while supplies last. Proceeds will benefit Herd & Flock Animal Sanctuary, making this a fun and impactful event for the entire community.
This year’s event is proudly sponsored by Prime Roots, Eclipse Foods, and Nature’s Fynd. The Bizerkeley Vegan gives special thanks to Yelp Bay Area, Forager, Thrive Market, and Just-Ice Tea for their in-kind sponsorship donations. The event presents a global culinary journey featuring a diverse range of cuisines from around the world, including soul food, South American delights, Asian specialities, Caribbean flavours, Polynesian dishes, and innovative fusion creations. Foodies can expect a fresh and exciting lineup of vendors, including newcomers like The Fungi Foods, offering plant-based local mushroom dishes; Sacramento’s Chef J. Redd with his Vegan Shrimp Po’Boy Fried Sushi Roll; and Danville’s Birdsong Tea with their organic tea blends. Returning fan favorites include San Francisco’s own The Vegan Hood Chefs, Oakland’s Dr Hops Hard Kombucha, Hayward’s Vegan Chula, as well as All Pau Berkeley, Green Flour Bakery, Fruitopia Fruit Truck, Sweet Diane’s granola, Salad Slvt, California Pit Bull Rescue, Jen Swift Art, Mad Vegan Co., Raydiant Vybes, and Vegan Power Co.
Festival-goers can indulge in complimentary tastings of delicious vegan cuisine and drinks, including spirits and zero-alcohol options. A live DJ and dance crew will showcase special performances throughout the day. The festival will also feature various exciting events, including The Veggie Games, the playful Kids Zone featuring games, bubbles, and more for kids 13 and under, plus a silent auction market to benefit Herd and Flock Animal Sanctuary. Adults can also enjoy the thrilling Hot Onez live spicy hot wing competition, a vegan spin on the popular web series, and the innovative Vegan Designer Fashion Show showcasing the latest vegan fashion and style trends.
“The fourth annual Bizerkeley Food Festival is a celebration of the amazing businesses that make our community buzz at the intersection of plant-based living,” said Erika Hazel, The Bizerkeley Vegan. “This event goes beyond delicious food – it’s about inspiring and empowering individuals to adopt a healthier and happier lifestyle. By showcasing the rich variety and flavours of
vegan cuisine, we continue our mission to transform lives and create a more compassionate world.”
The Bizerkeley Food Festival is delighted to continue its partnership with Herd and Flock Animal Sanctuary for the second consecutive year. This collaboration aligns with the festival’s mission to unite the community, showcase vibrant vegan businesses, and support impactful nonprofit organizations. Herd and Flock Animal Sanctuary provides a safe haven for rescued animals from various food industries, offering them a life of comfort and educating the public about the benefits of plant-based living. Animal lovers can visit the sanctuary’s dedicated booth to meet happy, healthy farm animals and learn practical tips on reducing animal consumption.
“We’re honoured to continue our support for Herd and Flock Animal Sanctuary as our beneficiary this year,” Hazel added. “Their tireless efforts to provide a safe haven and loving care for animals rescued from the food industry are a beacon of hope. Our partnership is a natural fit, as we share a common goal of promoting compassion towards all living beings and inspiring a more plant-based loving world.”
The event will be held at the expansive 100,000-square-foot Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, which is fully ADA-accessible. Free parking is available nearby on a first-come, first-served basis. Only ADA service animals are permitted. No pets, please. Visitors can stay refreshed with water and relax in a dedicated shaded seating area. The Bizerkeley Vegan encourages attendees to bring their own chairs, umbrellas, and reusable water bottles. For those interested in donating, click here, or to sign up as a volunteer, click here.
The Bizerkeley Food Festival brings the finest vegan businesses to downtown Berkeley, making it the city’s premier plant-based food event. Featuring top chefs and restaurant vendors from the Bay Area and beyond, this festival showcases the best in vegan cuisine. Highlighted by VegNews as one of the “14 Vegan Food Festivals You’ll Never Want To Leave,” the event has a history of selling out, drawing over 7,000 attendees in past years. Since 2021, the festival has raised over $8,500, cementing its place as a beloved community celebration.
The Bizerkeley Food Festival is set to take place at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park (2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704). Guests can enter at the corners of Center Street and Allston Way at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street entrances.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at Eventbrite.com or at the door. For more information, visit www.thebizerkeleyvegan.com. Berkeley residents and EBT cardholders enjoy free admission, while general admission tickets are priced at $10 and $14 at the door. For a premium experience, patrons can upgrade to the Very Important
(Vegan) Pass (VIP) for $65 in advance or $75 at the door – granting early entry at 11 am, exclusive swag bags, limited-edition merchandise, a shaded VIP lounge, and special perks.
About The Bizerkeley Food Festival
The Bizerkeley Food Festival was founded in 2021 by Erika Hazel, The Bizerkeley Vegan. This curated event focuses on introducing top-tier, hand-selected vegan businesses to the public to normalize how amazing they can be. In its commitment to support local causes, a silent auction with 100% of proceeds will benefit Herd And Flock Animal Sanctuary. For more information, visit www.thebizerkeleyvegan.com or follow @bizerkeleyfoodfest on Instagram.
About The Bizerkeley Vegan
The Bizerkeley Vegan is the moniker of vegan entrepreneur Erika Hazel after she transitioned to the vegan lifestyle in Berkeley, California, in 2016. Urban Dictionary defines “Berzerkeley” as a slang term used to describe the beautiful politically and socially liberal mecca of the city of Berkeley (berserk + Berkeley). After growing up hearing the nickname for years, Erika adopted the Bizerkeley Vegan denomination because she interpreted it as ‘bizarre Berkeley,’ meaning unique, unconventional, and extraordinary, which is how the city of Berkeley makes her feel. Erika Jordan is a nationally recognized vegan businesswoman, recipe creator, magazine contributor, and philanthropist. As a vegan food expert, Erika is always discovering the best vegan cuisine to share with her family and social media followers to make the world a more vegan place, one bite at a time. The Bizerkeley Vegan is not only a popular social media influencer and food blogger but also specializes in events, consultations, and speaking engagements. Erika‘s goal is to engage with people to help them find the world’s best plant-based foods.
For more information, visit www.thebizerkeleyvegan.com or follow @itserikahazel on Instagram.
For more information, visit www.thebizerkeleyvegan.com
