NYC Vegetarian Food Festival

That's where I went today. I planned on going with my friend. But we never contacted each other and I have a feeling he never did go. But I was not alone. I was planning on going to the festival in the morning and come back home to chill with my sister and children who were going to be visiting me. But this morning my sister wakes we up with a phone call letting me know she can't come by but that Samantha (my niece) wanted to go shopping with me. Being half asleep, I told my sister that I was going to the festival so she convinced me to take Samantha with me. I love Samantha, really I do! But I did not want to spend the whole day entertaining a 12-year-old. We literally have nothing in common. I do better with children that are younger than her. But we went. When we finally got there, the line for the free entrance was around the block. Apparently, the creators, Nira Paliwoda and Sarah Gross, totally underestimated how well-attended this event would be. For some reason, I pictured a street fair or a larger setting for the festival. When I saw the line, I thought, 'Dang! There must be mad people up in there!' When I actually saw the unaccommodating space in the Altman building, I thought the same thing but not because of the mere amount of people in there but because of how crowded and loud the event was. Now, I must admit that the free samples were great! But after the long wait in line with my picky, meat-eating niece who was bugging me to go home, I decided not to spend too much time in there. The presenters were cool! Props to the V-spot who was selling vegan empanadas to people outside on the line. I bought four. But inside, I also bought some vegan, chocolate-covered golden berries from Ecuador, some vegan tuna salad and its accompanying sandwich. I also picked up some free samples of a great-tasting, vegan cookie base (I thought it was granola), free tea, smoothie from Loving Hut and caramel corn. Needless to say, I loved it. But it could have been better. I say you should plan for a crowd especially when you're planning anything free. My niece, God bless her heart, probably hated the whole thing. I dared not ask her if she liked the event. but she refused the free samples. To make up for taking her, I bought her some junk food and some Chinese food in Manhattan, so you KNOW I overpaid. In case you wanted to know, vegan food is fun only if you're interested in it. If you're a meat-eating 12 year old, with a crush on Justin Bieber, who refuses to eat outside the house, a vegetarian festival is not for you.