Attending the Wicked Gluten Free event at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center was a dream for anyone navigating a gluten-free lifestyle. However, you might be disappointed if you don’t plan ahead!
After my recent visit and my first time at a gluten-free event, I’ve gathered some key tips to help you make the most of your experience.
(This is not a sponsored post. I genuinely enjoyed my time at this event – but I made a lot of mistakes. I hope to share my best tips so you can have the best experience possible!)
1. Get an Early Ticket
You need an early entry to truly enjoy Wicked Gluten Free Expo! Unfortunately, the event will get crowded fast! The earlier your ticket is for, the more likely you are to be able to enjoy all the great gluten-free food vendors.
By the time we found out about Wicked Gluten Free Philadelphia Expo the first two time slots were sold out. We arrived for our 12:00 PM entry time and it was already jam packed. If we do another Wicked Gluten Free I’m going to make sure we have the earliest time slot available!
But don’t worry, if there are only late time slots available. You’ll still be able to enjoy, but you may need to spend a lot of time planning ahead in tip 2!
2. Plan Ahead
As soon as the vendors are posted do your research! Look up every vendor on the internet and follow them on social media. I missed out on some great vendors because I didn’t know about them until the event and by the time I got to them they were already sold out.
3. Set Your Priorities
Now that you’ve added the vendors on social media you know some of the goodies they’ll be selling! Check the vendor list to identify your must-visit booths and map out a strategy. With so many great gluten-free products in one place, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and miss out. Setting your priorities will help you focus and make sure you don’t miss out on what’s most important to you.
With vendors offering everything from freshly baked goods to snacks and sauces, it’s important to decide in advance what you’re looking for. Are you after hot food for lunch options, the best gluten-free bakery items, or something to spice up your home-cooked meals? Knowing what you want will help you navigate the event efficiently, especially during busy times.
I texted my husband the night before with my priority list and their vendor table numbers. (Doggo stands for the celiac detection dog that was being demonstrated at the event, haha).
4. Hot Food Sells Out Quickly
If you’re hoping to enjoy some delicious hot food, be sure to visit those vendors early. The most popular food stalls can run out of their best dishes as the day goes on, especially closer to lunch. Get there early and snag those fresh, gluten-free meals while they’re still hot! The food trucks will definitely be the most popular.
If there’s a gluten-free pizza vendor, they will definitely be the busiest! So go right there and enjoy a delicious GF pizza – even if it’s 10 AM.
5. Bakery Lines Take the Longest
Gluten-free bakeries are always a hit at events like this, and for good reason! But be prepared—bakery lines tend to be the longest. If fresh pastries, breads, or cakes are on your list, plan to hit those booths as early as possible to avoid disappointment (and long waits).
6. Try all the Free Samples
One of the biggest perks of Wicked Gluten Free: Philly is the abundance of free samples! Don’t hesitate to try everything—you never know what hidden gem you might discover.
From gluten-free breads and pastries to sauces, and snacks, sampling gives you a chance to taste-test new products before committing to a full purchase.
It’s like being at a totally gluten-free Costco! One of the best samples I tried was gluten free pizza crusts with olive oil from Minus G Bakery.
It’s the perfect opportunity to explore a wide variety of gluten-free options without having to worry about any cross contamination. Plus, vendors love getting feedback, so don’t be afraid to share your thoughts while indulging in all the deliciousness. Just be prepared—your shopping bag might be a little heavier on the way out!
7. Visit Spices, Sauces, and Cooking Mixes Last
If you’re interested in discovering new gluten-free spices, sauces, or cooking mixes, save those for the end of your visit. They’re usually less in-demand and have shorter lines, so you can browse at your leisure after you’ve checked off your top priorities.
8. Set a Budget in Advance
As we all know, living with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can be very expensive. Overall I found the prices at Wicked Gluten-Free to be very fair, but items do add up! The cost of some of the items I purchased were
3 packs of bagels from The Greater Knead = $20
2 empanadas from Nadas Empanandas = $8
1 gluten-free, dairy free cupcake from Lanies = $6
2 gluten-free pies from Taste Buddy = $26
3 pack of spice kits from Simply Masala = $32
I originally set myself a budget of $100 for the day. I went over that budget….by a lot, haha. I got so many amazing gluten-free foods, but I did break the bank.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and the enjoyment of not having to worry about your dietary restrictions. But it is important you plan ahead and budget in advance so that way you don’t hurt your wallet.
9. Talk to Everyone!
One of the best parts of attending Wicked Gluten Free: Philly is the incredible sense of community. Don’t be shy—talk to everyone! From the vendors to fellow attendees, there’s a wealth of knowledge and support to tap into.
The vendors are passionate about their gluten-free products and love to share the stories behind them, so ask questions, learn about new brands, and maybe even discover a new favorite.
And don’t forget to chat with other attendees—you’ll find plenty of people with similar experiences who can offer tips, recommendations, and even recipes. The connections you make here could last far beyond the event! I don’t know about you, but I know so few gluten-free eaters that I get so excited meeting others with celiac disease or gluten intolerance!
10. Follow Wicked Gluten-Free on Social Media
We seriously almost missed out on this event because I wasn’t following Wicked Gluten-Free on Instagram. Fortunately my husband was and he made sure we bought tickets. But like I said before, by buying tickets late we missed the first two time slots.
So make sure to follow Wicked Gluten Free now so you don’t miss out on their next event.
Their next two events are in Boston on Saturday October 26th 2024, and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on Saturday March 29th 2025.They’ve also previously held events on Long Island as well.
Tips for Attending Wicked Gluten Free Expo
By following these tips, you’ll be sure to get the most out of your time at Wicked Gluten Free! It’s an incredible event full of fantastic gluten-free products, and with a little strategy, you can make it a smooth, enjoyable experience.
If you can make it a full weekend trip and check out the local scene for gluten-free food as well.
Do you know of a similar event, gluten-free food convention, or other gluten-free expos? Let us know so we can check it out and share our best tips for there as well!
Enjoy every gluten-free bite, and happy shopping!