dc vegfest

DC VegFest 2011 – Free Vegetarian Festival in Washington DC

DC VegFest 2011: Free Star-Studded Vegetarian Festival in the Nation’s Capital

September 19, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The DC VegFest is the largest vegetarian celebration in the Metro area, attracting several thousand attendees each year. Offering a great time for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, this free outdoor festival will showcase over 75 exhibitors and provides an opportunity to try free food samples, hear from dynamic speakers, see cooking demonstrations, explore delicious meat-free cuisine, and shop from several stores. Attendees can even get their cholesterol checked for free.

We’ll also have ASL interpreters at each presentation, a dedicated children’s activity area, and water stations for your furry four-legged friends throughout the venue.

WHAT: DC VegFest, online at DCVegFest.com
WHEN: Sat., Sept. 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (rain or shine)
WHERE: University Yard at George Washington Univ. (H St. between 20th/21st Sts., NW)
METRO: four blocks from the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro station.

Co-organized by D.C.-based nonprofits, Compassion Over Killing and the Vegetarian Society of D.C., this star-studded event features several keynote speakers including:

  • Jonathan Balcombe, PhD, author and animal behavior expert
  • Michael Greger, M.D., clinical nutrition and public health expert
  • Isa Chandra Moskowitz, vegan chef and award-winning cookbook author
  • Wayne Pacelle, CEO/Pres. of The Humane Society of the United States, author of NYT best-seller The Bond
  • Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, vegan chef and award-winning author
  • Wendy Rieger, NBC4-DC news anchor

“Choosing vegetarian foods is one of the best ways we can protect our health, the planet, and animals,” says Erica Meier, Executive Director of Compassion Over Killing. “The DC VegFest highlights just how fun, easy, and delicious it is to dine on meat-free cuisine.”

A wide variety of food will be dished out by 18 DC-area restaurants, including recent winner of the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars: Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats, which is also hosting a cupcake eating contest at the event. Free food samples will be offered by Tofurky, Gardein, Field Roast, Soyummi, and more. Additionally, the first 500 visitors will receive a free commemorative bag filled with more food, coupons, and information about vegetarian eating.

“So many people today are exploring more responsible diets,” says Vegetarian Society of DC President Saurabh Dalal. “The DC VegFest has something for everyone, so bring your family and friends to experience the excitement.”

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Contact

Erica Meier at emeier@cok.net or 202-270-8253 (cell)
Saurabh Dalal at president@vsdc.org or 301-257-8349 (cell)

Compassion Over Killing (COK) is a nonprofit animal advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. Since 1995, COK has worked to end the abuse of animals in agriculture through undercover investigations, public outreach, litigation, and other advocacy programs. Online at COK.net.

The Vegetarian Society of DC (VSDC) promotes the benefits of vegetarianism through educational and community-building activities throughout the Washington, D.C. area, including Maryland and northern Virginia. Founded in 1927, VSDC is the nation’s oldest continuously operating vegetarian society and welcomes people wherever they are on the path toward an all-plant-based diet. On the web at VSDC.org.