I attended my first raw vegan fruit festival in Sebastopol, California, more than 20 years ago. It was called RawStock, and it took place right in the middle of a fruit orchard. We camped in tents, and attended lectures sitting on straw bales under the trees. We feasted on local seasonal fruits - I especially remember the syrupy fresh figs from a nearby farm, and the abundant plump blackberries we harvested along the road.
I flew there from Michigan, with my first “raw buddy,” Leslie. We brought a large ripe cantaloupe melon to share on the airplane ride. We had to ask a vendor in the airport to cut it for us in the back of their shop, with their knife that was chained to the wall for security. We scooped out the seeds with our plastic airport spoons, and each carried our half onto the plane in our hands as we boarded. We got a lot of looks and whispers! And the airline stewardess told us that we made her day, when we each easily devoured an entire half of the large melon (at home each of us might have easily eaten the whole thing!). She was happy that she had a notable story to tell when she got home.
At RawStock I got to meet and thank in person the man who had been one of my first mentor/coaches, on the phone: Timothy Trader. I met several other prominent raw vegan educators and influencers I had been following online, and through their books. It was an amazing and deeply inspiring experience to witness these mentors in real life, embodying the raw vegan lifestyle for real and sharing their joy and success.
Next, raw buddy Leslie and I traveled to London, Ontario (Canada), 2 or 3 years in a row, for a more intimate raw vegan gathering at a couples’ lovely farmstead. I was so impressed by the greenhouse attached to and accessible through their kitchen, filled to the brim with healthy glowing salad greens and various fruits, and the arbor we sat under which was so abundantly draped with bunches of ripe grapes. Here I met other dedicated leaders, and more beautiful souls on a sincere healing path. I remember deep group sharings, seated in a circle on the ground, and just Leslie and I hanging out with with infamous Doug Graham at the fire-pit one night, helping to burn cardboard fruit boxes while we three chatted candidly about the important things in life.
Soon after, The Woodstock Fruit Festival was born in 2011, and this time I was invited to be a speaker! I felt so honored, and humbled, and I gave it my all. I returned to this popular festival as a primary speaker and teacher for 10 years, as it grew and grew. This festival gave my voice a microphone, a gracious audience, and the encouragement and confidence to embody and expand my own unique message in the raw vegan community. I created lifelong friendships with many of the “Pioneers,” as the early group of presenters was called.
These pics are some oldies, from the early days of the Woodstock Fruit Fest.
More recently, as The Woodstock Fruit Festival lost its longstanding venue in upstate New York, changed administration, and faltered for a couple of years before regaining new footing, The Vegan Wellness Retreat, and The Texas Fruit Festival were birthed and have both gained solid traction. I will be returning this summer for my third appearance at The Vegan Wellness Retreat, which now calls Michigan home, and I will make my first appearance this spring at The Texas Fruit Festival.
From eager student to devoted teacher and presenter, these festivals have had a huge positive impact on my life. One thing I am proud of championing at all the festivals where I present, is daily Support Groups. Early on at The Woodstock Fruit Festival, I observed the need, as I saw attendees struggling on the sidelines with the contents of the ‘Pandora’s Box’ of emotional baggage that spills open in an environment where everything is being questioned, awakening is an active process, and all of life’s plans and values are being renegotiated toward a higher path.
It’s not always easy to make the commitment to join one of these raw vegan fruit festival gatherings for the first time. Friends and family may raise an eyebrow, and question your motivations. You may even question yourself! Taking the road less traveled is not the easiest way through life. I truly love connecting with all who get themselves to these festivals, because these are open and receptive, courageous souls ready to break out of worn-out old patterns of conformity, and take a chance on something new, something healthier, something real. It’s not just the food that is real at these events, it’s the warmth, encouragement, truth-speak, and genuine connections.
If you are aiming higher with your health and wellness, if you need encouragement and support, if you would love to meet like-minded, present, and forward-minded community and create lasting friendships, if you want to immerse your children in a healthy environment, if you want to LEARN and study and be massively inspired….I invite you to make attending one or more of these festivals a real priority in 2026! I will be at the Texas and Michigan events, ready with a warm welcome for all newcomers and returnees. This is where we come to reignite our fruit-loving, nature-trusting community from around the world - every year. We return for the hugs, the reunion, the understanding companionship, the spirited drug-free PLAY, the learning and personal growth, and the shared recognition of nature’s true prescription for health, happiness and vitality.
These three festivals are unique in the vegan community. They focus on FRUIT as our true superfood and dietary staple. Greens are abundantly available too, and some gourmet raw vegan culinary creations - for fun, variety, and transitional support.
If you have not yet lived with fruit as your staple food, come and see what the hype is all about! Be ready to feel a new level of beautiful ENERGY rising in you! And if you have already found your way to this magical path, come and reconnect with your tribe.
To see more photos of all the fun, food, and community, and get all the information you need to get your tickets, click on the links below:
April 30-May 3: https://texasfruitfestival.com/
*June 14-18: https://www.veganwellnessretreats.com/
*Use discount code: ELLEN$100 at checkout to save $100 off your ticket
August 9-16: https://thewoodstockfruitfestival.com/
SEE YOU THERE!!
Great read! Thanks for sharing your experiences and your links. All the best 🩷
Yes, we'll be at the Woodstock fruit festival here in California in August - it's only about 15 minutes from our front door - beautiful place - Mandala hot springs resort - wonderful and looking forward to the great energy of health, vitality, freedom, and abundance that we'll be celebrating!