'The Grass is Greener' vegan festival comes to Bay Shore this weekend

Go vegan or go home this weekend as Bay Shore makes way for The Grass is Greener: An All Vegan Food & Arts Festival at the Brewers Collective Beer Company on Saturday and Sunday. The event returns after a successful debut last October.

“We want people to learn more about vegan culture on Long Island,” says Jose Tutiven, founder/executive director of Colored Colors, which is presenting the event. “It’s about empowerment through nutrition.”

VEGAN TREATS

The festival will feature a vegan food court serving a variety of plant-based dishes from 10 different local trucks and booths. Take a bite of Soul Plant Food’s vegan burger topped with vegan bacon. Meanwhile, Green World Smoothie & Eats offers superfood salads and fruit smoothies. Don’t miss The Waffle Chic’s famous vegan chicken and waffles. Sip Fresh Factor’s pressed juice like Turbo (apple, lemon, ginger, pineapple) or Sunrise (lemon, nectarine, apple, ginger, strawberry, orange, pepper).

BAY SHORE BREW

The Brewers Collective tasting room will be open and pouring 13 craft brews on tap, including McKenna, a dry Irish stout; For You Lot! a New England-style IPA; Outside of Society, a golden barrel aged sour ale; and Nein Helles, a German lager.

“Nein Helles is our flagship beer. It’s a clean, crisp lager that goes well with any weather,” says co-founder/co-owner Sarah Dougherty. “The flavor is light and refreshing with no bitter or hoppy taste.”

MUSIC, MERCHANTS & MORE

Live music plays throughout the day from a dozen local artists, such as Arahmus Brown, Chelsea Takami, Laurie Anne Creus, Izzy Potter, Fancy Cat and Dudley Music, which take the stage inside the tap room where attendees can sit at tables to drink and eat near the entertainment. There will even be a photo-op spot inside a colorful interactive garden with fruits and vegetables for patrons to take selfies at the brewery.

A marketplace will be set up outside the brewery featuring 30 vendors in the parking lot selling art and handmade crafts, plus wellness and health vegan-based products.
“Our goal is to promote local artists and bridge the gap between artistry and business,” says Tutiven. “We always try to get more involved in the arts and make them accessible to everyone.”

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.