Free Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck Picnic, West Los Angeles

What will we all be eating for Thanksgiving Day? Vegan desserts, main courses, raw foods, gluten-free baked goods, and specialties in the largest vegan Thanksgiving in the country.

It's also Los Angeles' longest-running single day vegan tradition, the biggest vegan potluck event of the year. It has been going on for 27 years.

• I want to go gluten-free. What does it mean? It means something is 100% free of wheat (often labelled just as "flour" in the ingredients or durum semolina, barley, rye, OATS, spelt, kamut, or buckwheat, all of which have their forms of toxic gluten even if the label on the package says "gluten-free").

Hundreds of people and many well-behaved pets attend annually. It's a potluck, so please bring a 100% vegan dish to share. Raw food items are for specialty cooks who know how to prepare foods without destroying enzymes with heat, light, or oxidation.

There are signs for each category of dish. Gluten-free and foods free of other common allergens are also in high demand. Or pick something up from a vegan outlet like Lassen's, Sprouts, or Whole Foods.

For questions about raw specialties and other general info, contact Vanessa at (818) 383-5998 or Annie at (310) 892-9617.

Come share savory and delicious vegan foods from around the world.

Connect with some beautiful people and enjoy the outdoors. There will be music, meditation, a Native American land acknowledgement (to recognize that we are on stolen Tongva Tribal land), singing, live performances, and an open mic.

For extra comfort, bring picnic blankets, chairs, tarps. (Most of the picnic tables will be full of potluck dishes). Also feel free to bring drums, other musical instruments, frisbees or balls to toss around. It's family friendly and a great place for children.

• See more at Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal: Free Vegan Thanksgiving, L.A. (11/28)

MASSAGE BY JANELL ALEXANDER
Need to relax but can't seem to destress? The answer is here on a chair or table. Sign up early under the big oak tree at the center of the picnic tables. First come, first served. The list will fill up. Add a spiritual dimension of healing energy from the laying on of hands and expert musculoskeletal manipulation and deep tissue soothing. Call in advance to make an appointment if you wish: (626) 539-1913 (ahhhmassage@gmail.com).

PUBLIC EVENT
It is no free to attend, and please see details below on what to bring to participate.

Park Rules: No Alcohol

Please for each dish, bring a list of ingredients to help those who avoid certain allergens and certain foods for whatever reason.

**TO PREVENT PAPER AND PLASTIC WASTE, PLEASE BRING OWN PLATES, BOWLS, CUPS, EATING AND SERVING UTENSILS.**
WHEN
We start gathering at 11:00 am Pacific Time and have a beautiful opening ceremony right at noon. Then we begin our feast.

LOCATION
LAT/LONG: 34°02'44.0"N 118°24'39.2"W
Enter Cheviot Hills Park (aka "Rancho Park") at the north entrance on Motor Avenue (the first entrance south of Pico Blvd.) When entering the park, there is a parking area on the left.

Drive past this parking area and follow the road to the next parking area which is a few hundred feet down. Walk to the picnic tables across the grass behind the baseball field. "VEG" signs are posted to point the way.
(Be mindful. There is another picnic area at the far end of the park close to the parking lot which is not our picnic area).

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Plan your trip: socaltransport.org
The closest holiday bus stop is at Pico Blvd./Motor Ave. on the Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus Route 7.
Los Angeles Metro: metro.net
Santa Monica Big Blue Bus: bigbluebus.com
Culver City Bus: culvercity.org/enjoy/culver-city-bus

DISCLAIMERS
Unless stated otherwise, organizers and participants do not assume any related legal obligations, responsibilities, or liabilities. All are expected to behave in a civil and orderly manner and adhere to any event policies.
Participation is at own risk. Indoor activities, outdoor activities, in-person social interactions, and sharing foods have some associated risks, including injuries, allergies, transmissible illnesses, and food poisoning.