Yep! You read it right! After three long years, the Illinois Gluten-Free & Allergen Friendly Expo (AKA Nourished Festival) is finally back and it’s better than ever! It’s even online, too!
Why am I so excited?
Well, there’s nothing more exciting for a child with celiac disease to be able to eat freely and for his mother to be a part of that simple joy. Even though my son’s a teenager now, he still excitedly calls the Nourished Festival “his day.”
As always, this two-day event will showcase some of the most well-known and loved food companies and services in the gluten-free and allergy-friendly worlds. Since 2019 the expo has been rebranded to now include dedicated nut-free, plant-based, keto, and paleo sections. Of course, everything will still be gluten-free! Hooray!
Not only that, but there will also be informative live classes and exhibitor booths where you can meet some of your favorite (and new) food brands and bloggers. You’ll surely learn a lot and meet some great people who share the same dietary concerns. And let’s not forget…the delicious SAMPLES!
Here’s what you can expect from in-person or online:
–A swag bag for each paid attendee (in-person only)
–Coupons and discounts
–Lots of fun and informative classes (in-person only but recorded for later!)
–Online giveaways and deals for virtual attendees
–Food samples from lots of gluten-free vendors (in-person only)
Who will be there?
The Illinois Nourished Festival is the largest event of its kind in the US! There will be over 50 food companies and relevant products and services featured this year. You’ll see gluten-free and allergy-friendly favorites, such as:
- Enjoy Life Foods
- Schär
- King Arthur
- Chomps
- Brazi Bites
- Jovial
- Aleia’s
- Namaste
- Hippeas
- Otto’s
…and many more!
Beyond the food, filmmakers Mike and Cam from “The Celiac Project” and the renowned weekly podcast series of the same name will also have a booth. I never miss a stop to talk to those two!
The In-Person Deets:
Lake County Fairgrounds Event Center
1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake, IL
- Saturday, October 14th, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday, October 15th, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Tickets!
Tickets are $15 dollars (+ booking fees) for adults and children age 13+ per day, and there are reduced tickets for children under 13, seniors, and first responders/military with proper ID. Family passes are also available. Buy your tickets by clicking here, but don’t forget to register for the online giveaways by clicking this link!
But, if you’re feeling lucky, you could hold off on buying tickets and enter my ticket giveaway! Keep reading for contest details!
Can’t Attend in Person?
Don’t worry if you can’t make it in person or live in another state, because there’s always the online option! With online participation, you’ll get exclusive product offers and the opportunity to enter contests and play gluten-free trivia to win awesome prizes! (Don’t forget to register below!) You’ll also be able to watch the recorded classes and presentations after the event.
Online Deets:
- Saturday, October 14th, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time
- Sunday, October 15th, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time
Again, here’s where you register for the online fun!
And now for the Nourished Festival ticket giveaway!
I’m excited to tell you that I’ve again been selected as one of the event’s official bloggers! This would be my family’s sixth time attending/participating in this event, and each year we’ve experienced new speakers, new vendors, and new products to sample and bring home.
I can’t wait to see new and familiar faces, try the latest and greatest products, and share my favorite finds on my blog and social media. Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter for event updates and future posts! Of course, if you spot me on Saturday or Sunday wearing this shirt, please say “Hi!
Last, but not least, enter my giveaway!
Thank you so much for reading and I’ll see you at the Fest!
P.S. Stay tuned for my next post on tips for having the best Festival experience!
Leave a Reply