Arts & Life

Vegans get chicken-dancey

Saturday will go down in history as the first time vegans and animal rights activists will do the chicken dancing while gorging themselves on strudel, sausages and beer.

Vegan Oktoberfest was created by David Edward Burke and Jill Ryther, a couple of Los Angeles animal rights attorneys who envisioned a (mostly) traditional German Oktoberfest that welcomes beer lovers who prefer to keep their conscience clean.

A vegan might starve at a conventional chili cook-off, and a carnivore may cringe at the thought of anything “meatless.”

“We wanted to create an event that combines the best of both worlds,” creator David Edward Burke said. “Too many events fall into only one of two categories.”

People with any dietary preference can celebrate the cultural event.

Most beers are already vegan, but some are made with animal products and byproducts. For that reason, beers filtered with fish bladders and chocolate stouts brewed with milk will not be on tap at Vegan Oktoberfest. However, a lineup of popular companies including Archer, Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada and Hangar 24 will provide the libations for Saturday afternoon.

Multiple vegan food vendors and food trucks will feed attendees vegan pretzels, sausages, grilled cheese and sweets.

The founders insist that in spite of the absence of meat, the event is traditionally German.

“There will be stein-holding contests, an Oompah band, yodeling and enough chicken dancing to hold people over until Vegan Oktoberfest 2015,” Burke said.

General admission is $45, and guests will receive a beer stein and unlimited beer. VIP tickets are $65, and give guests complimentary food tasting and allow for early entry. Non-drinkers are admitted for $20. The event is for guests aged 21 and over only.

Where: 2600 Barnard Way, Santa Monica, 90405

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