SHREVEPORT, La. — A local business combined Father's Day and Juneteenth celebrations Sunday with a special pop-up event highlighting plant-based Southern cuisine.
 
Vegans on the Run partnered with Sipp House Coffee to host its "Legacy and Liberation" celebration at 1844 Texas Ave. The event featured a specialty menu, community fellowship and a Father's Day-themed meal.
 
Founder and owner Joslin Mar-dai said the menu was designed to give traditional Southern comfort food a healthier, plant-based twist.
 
"We had a barbecue menu, so we got the Southern Gentleman Platter today," Mar-dai said. "That's a Father's Day-themed meal, and we put everything on the grill. My in-house pitmaster grilled all the plants for the daddies so they can enjoy and stay off the grill today."
 
Mar-dai said the event also gave the community a chance to learn more about the restaurant's new brick-and-mortar location.
 
"I think people are super excited to have a fully plant-based restaurant open with our brick and mortar now," she said. "We're excited, and we can't wait to open our doors every day for service."
 
The pop-up ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and drew customers from across the region. The event was one of several celebrations taking place across Shreveport during the Juneteenth and Father's Day holiday weekend.