Your event day experience will vary based on your time of attendance. Your expectations for a given timeframe should be approximately as follows.
noon - 1:00 pm EDT Early Access tickets required; available here: You will be able to easily park on-site, enter Gainbridge Fieldhouse with minimal wait-time, receive a free goodie bag with giveaways and coupons, and enjoy the full selection of food and merchandise with minimal lines and crowds.
If you want the very best Indy VegFest experience - and are willing to pay extra for it - noon to 1:00 pm Early Access is the best option for you.1:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT General Admission: The best on-site parking spots are filling up quickly; you may have to wait in line for a while to park. (Carpooling, ride-sharing, and public transportation is strongly encouraged!) Depending on your arrival time, you may have to wait in line inside the pavilion to enter the event space; if you want to enter at 1:00 pm, please plan on arriving as early beforehand as long as you are willing to wait to enter. Once inside, expect large crowds and long lines for popular vendors; a few will sell out towards the end of this timeframe.
If you want the exciting atmosphere of a large, free event with a big crowd - while still enjoying a great selection of food and merchandise - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm General Admission is the best option for you.3:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT General Admission: On-site parking is still available; you may have to search for a while for a close spot. (Carpooling, ride-sharing, and public transportation is strongly encouraged!) There may be a line to enter the building towards the beginning of this timeframe. Once inside, the crowds and lines should be smaller, though some vendors will have reduced or NO options available.
If you want to mostly avoid lines and crowds, with free admission - with the expectation that some food and merchandise will NOT be available - 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm General Admission is the best option for you.