OAKS, PA — Imagine spending an entire day sampling everything from soft pretzels and fried chicken to cannoli, cupcakes, pierogi, and pizza—without having to wonder whether it’s safe to eat. That’s the experience awaiting thousands of visitors when the Wicked Gluten Free Expo & Food Festival returns to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on Saturday, July 18.
Billed as the nation’s largest gluten-free food festival, the event is expected to draw about 5,000 attendees for a full day of tasting, shopping, cooking demonstrations, and family-friendly activities. More than 110 restaurants, bakeries, food trucks, specialty brands, health organizations, and community groups will participate, with every food vendor individually vetted to ensure offerings are gluten-free and celiac-safe. Vegan and other allergen-friendly options will also be available throughout the festival.
To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, organizers will kick off the day with a “Freedom from Gluten” cake-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. The Happy Mixer Gluten Free Bakery will provide a specially designed celiac-safe commemorative cake, and the first 100 guests will receive a complimentary sample.
For many attendees, the festival offers something even more meaningful than great food.
“Events like this are so much more than a chance to enjoy great food,” said Lisa Mourer, co-founder of The Happy Mixer Gluten Free Bakery. “They’re an opportunity for people living gluten free to feel included, discover new products, and realize just how many options are available to them.”
Festival-goers can spend the day sampling products from local favorites such as A&A Soft Pretzels, Harvest Seasonal Grill, Skip’s Chicken, The Greater Knead, Settantatre Pasta, Honey Bear Ice Cream, Nutty Novelties, SouthHouse, and Scrumpshes, alongside nationally recognized gluten-free brands including Jovial Foods, Otto’s Naturals, Queen St. Bakery, Geefree, Burton’s Grill & Bar, Jennifer Lee’s Bakery, and many others.
The event also features live cooking demonstrations and educational presentations from gluten-free experts, including Patrick Auger of Better Batter, Jules Shepard of gfJules, and Jennifer Greenhill of the Aquafaba Test Kitchen. Community organizations such as Beyond Celiac, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Celiac Center, and the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America will also be on hand with educational resources.
Organizer Abby Helman Kelly said the festival serves an important purpose beyond introducing attendees to new foods.
“For those living with celiac disease and other gluten sensitivities, this event means they can come to find healthy and safe foods, enjoy a day of safe eating, discover products they’ll use all year, and connect with local restaurants and bakeries,” Kelly said. “It is also a day where the mental burden is lessened knowing we vet the vendors and their products.”
Kevin Mourer, co-founder of The Happy Mixer, said supporting the festival aligns with the bakery’s mission.
“When we opened The Happy Mixer, our goal was to create a place where people with dietary restrictions could walk through the door and choose anything they wanted without worry,” he said. “Wicked Gluten Free Expo shares that same mission of bringing confidence, education, and joy to the gluten-free community.”
New this year, the festival will conclude with a Gluten-Free Happy Hour from 3 to 5 p.m., featuring vendor discounts, promotions, and special offers. Admission also includes a commemorative tote bag, complimentary samples while supplies last, and free parking.
Event Details
- What: Wicked Gluten Free Expo & Food Festival
- When: Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (timed entry; guests may stay all day)
- Where: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave., Oaks, PA 19456
- Cost/Tickets: Adults $27.50; children ages 6–12 $8; ages 5 and under free. The 10:00 a.m. entry time is sold out. Remaining timed entries begin at 11:00 a.m.
- More Info: https://wickedglutenfree.com
Whether you’re managing celiac disease, exploring gluten-free living, or simply looking to discover new foods, the Wicked Gluten Free Expo & Food Festival offers a rare opportunity to sample hundreds of products in one place—without worrying about what’s on the ingredient label.
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