Sun 7/26 @ 5:30 – 9pm
*Ticket purchase deadline: Midnight on Mon 7/20*
A decade ago there were only a handful of vegan options in Cleveland. There was a place way on the westside that served tofu wings and non-dairy ice cream made from oats, a place on the eastside serving vegan soul food… and that was about it, save for a few random options here and there that weren’t ever noteworthy.
Fast forward to 2015 and oh how things have changed. While Cleveland is not yet a vegan mecca, the options — and I’m talking about good options — are adding up. Not only do we have actual vegan eateries, there’s now a vegan cruise.
Organized by the Cleveland Vegan Society, the Cleveland VegVoyage is a sunset cruise fundraiser for the popular Cleveland Veg Fest. The Nautica Queen cruise will feature dancing, drinks, a silent auction and delicious food prepared by Cleveland Vegan.
“Cleveland VegVoyage emerged from the creative brain-storming of the Cleveland Vegan Society board to create a unique and memorable experience for our conscientious and compassionate community members,” says Cleveland Vegan Society Volunteer Coordinator Donna Liebenauer. “We are proud to collaborate with JakPrints to offer this fundraising event that will not only support the upcoming Cleveland VegFest, but highlight local vegan culinary establishments on Cleveland’s treasured Nautica Queen.”
“Attendees can expect a phenomenal cruelty-free dining experience provided by some of Cleveland’s most talented vegan chefs, cocktails, dancing, a 50/50 raffle, fantastic cruelty-free silent auction and of course, sailing into the sunset!” adds Cleveland Vegan Society President Amy Wagar Cinch.
“We’d like guests to leave knowing how important the vegan community is in generating the interest and funding for the 2016 Cleveland VegFest and how much their participation in this VegVoyage fundraiser contributes to that effort.”
Of course the food will be a huge draw and with Cleveland Vegan preparing the goods, guests surely won’t be disappointed. It all starts with two gluten-free appetizers: avocado skins and curried chickpea cake with mango chutney. Entrees include apple and ginger seitan chops and cauliflower lasagna with a choice of sides: Cajun roasted potatoes with ranch sauce or Thai Brussels sprouts.
Dessert will be provided by two delectable local bakeries — Poison Berry Bakery and Vegan Sweet Tooth. Vegan wine and beer will be available throughout the night. Two drink tickets are included with admission.
Sound delicious? Buy your tickets soon because the deadline is midnight on Mon 7/20. Of course, you don’t have to be vegan to join in. Veg-curious people are most certainly welcome.
Funds go towards the Cleveland VegFest, which will take place on May 7, 2016 in a new, larger location. The Fest showcases all vegan/vegetarian goods the Northeast Ohio region has to offer, with a day of lectures, presentations, cooking demos, samples and a marketplace. It’s a good barometer of how far Cleveland has come as a veg-friendly city — and how far we still have to go.
“Veganism has definitely grown in Cleveland, we see vegan-friendly stores and restaurants popping up everywhere!” says Liebenauer.
She continues, saying, “From the perspective of the Cleveland Vegan Society, we would like to see the Cleveland dining scene continue to become more vegan-friendly for the ease of transitioning for new vegans. Our Cleveland VegFest aims to support the restaurants and businesses that are helping to make Cleveland a more vegan-friendly place. Most importantly, Cleveland VegFest aims to bring together the strongest voices for vegan living in the most accessible way possible — a free festival!”
Buy your ticket and hop aboard the good ship vegan. Want to support the cause but can’t make the cruise? Look into becoming a member of the Cleveland Vegan Society to receive perks and discounts while helping them fulfill their mission of promoting a plant-based lifestyle.
Tickets are on sale until midnight Mon 7/20. Boarding is at 5:30pm sharp.
[Photo via Nautica Queen FB]
http://clevelandvegansociety.org
Cool Cleveland correspondent Sarah Valek studied art and writing at Ithaca College. After graduation, she came back to Cle and served two years as an AmeriCorps*VISTA with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. She can be found on all sides of the city in pursuit of homeschooling activities for her son and the perfect soy latte. Contact her at CoolEditor@CoolCleveland.com or via Twitter.
Cleveland, OH 44113