Vegan Tucson Night Market, hosted by Death Free Foodie and Tucson Foodie, is back on Saturday, June 7, from 6 to 10 p.m.
The upcoming experience marks the two-year anniversary. We’ve learned a lot from that first Vegan Tucson Night Market, including the fact that vegans love Tucson’s food scene, and we needed a much bigger space to fit them all.
With free parking and plenty of room for at least 60 vendors, the market is returning to the Rillito Park at 4502 N. First Ave.
Tucson Chocolate Factory (Photo by Jackie Tran)
“I can’t believe it’s already been two years since the very first Vegan Night Market,” said Hannah Hernandez, AKA Death Free Foodie. “I’m so grateful for the love and support. I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone on June 7th!”
So, expect food and beverage vendors (TBA), live music, and a unique ambiance that brings together 4,000-5,000 plant-based food lovers for a one-of-a-kind culinary experience.
Last year, we introduced the VIP Lounge, which continues to evolve each time we gather at Rillito Park.
Tickets are $35 per person and include access to the outdoor lounge, free tastings from Whiskey Del Bac, Parch, and Chill Wine, one drink at the bar, and a special vegan menu from local chefs Pablo Valencia and Christian Padilla, who’ll be serving fried yakisoba yakitori stixxx.
At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.