A NEW vegan festival is heading to West End next month, after the idea was sparked from a post on the Brisbane Vegans Facebook group page.

Brisvegan Fest 2016 co-organiser Sarah Wade said the poster asked if anyone was interested in organising a festival.

“A few people got in touch and we just started meeting,” Wade said.

“It started in April last year, and it’s taken us this long to get organised for the event.”

Wade said they thought they would start small with 25 stalls.

“But we’ve currently got 30, and I’m still getting calls and emails for people who want to be part of it,” she said.

She said interest was from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sydney.

Coopers Plains-based vegan business Foodmill owner Vic Sekhon said he jumped at the opportunity to be part of the event.

Sekhon purchased his business last year, and after moving it from Caboolture to Coopers Plains, turned the company vegan in February.

“It’s been really good. The response has been better than I was expecting,” Sekhon said.

He said he was looking forward to interacting with people who had never tasted vegan food before.

“I want to understand what might be stopping people from becoming vegan,” Sekhon said.

“And I want to see what vegans are looking for.”

Brisvegan Fest will be held on Sunday, September 4, at Souths Leagues Club, West End, from 8am, and entry is free.

Visit brisveganfest.com.au

TIPS FOR GOING VEGAN

Brisvegan Fest co-organiser Sarah Wade shares her secrets to success:

■ Visit vegan grocery stores like The Green Edge (Windsor)

■ Try to do it gradually – try almond milk, soy milk and different brands, and experiment with vegan

■ Go to vegan restaurants, a cookery class, or try a new recipe every week

■ Watch movies, Forks over Knives, Cowspiracy and Food Inc, Speciesism