Don’t Miss the Biggest DC VegFest Yet!

Monday night, veggie and vegan enthusiasts gathered at Busboys and Poets for its annual preview party of DC VegFest. This will be the 12^th year that Compassion Over Killing has organized the festival, which has grown in popularity, with more and more vendors coming to share their food, products and story with the growing number of people who are becoming interested in living a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. This year, DC VegFest is expected to draw about 20,000 guests.

At Yards Park again this fall, VegFest be on Saturday, October 3 from 11am to 6pm. It will be a fun-filled day with free samples from dozens of vendors, interactive family activities, a large barking lot for dogs, animals from the Washington Humane Society, a variety of highly anticipated speakers, live music from local musicians, a beer garden hosted by Busboys and Poets and more.

Skeptical? Who can say no to free food and product samples? There will be over 125 exhibitors, partners and sponsors and over two dozen food vendors, like Vegan Treats, Daiya cheesecakes (to die for), Woodlands Vegan Bistro, Equinox Restaurant, Amsterdam Falafelshop, Vegetable Garden, Sticky Fingers, Kate Bakes to name a few.

There will also be a variety of speakers, who will share the benefits of living a plant-based diet, and answer questions about living a healthier lifestyle without meat. For people who are curious about raising their kids vegan or vegetarian, there will be an “Ask a Vegan Family” panel this year of both moms and dads who want to share their experience about raising their kids vegan. One of the dads, Brian Ottins, has tips for overcoming barriers with your children, like picky eating, being in non-vegan friendly environments like school lunch, and preparing your child for other social situations where veganism is not a priority.

Other speakers will include renowned speakers, like vegan NFL player David Carter, Gene Baur from Farm Sanctuary, hilarious and energetic award-winning chefs from Vedge restaurant, a neurologist and public health specialist Dr. Aysha Akhtar, and ultra-athlete Rich Roll. This year’s emcee will be the award-winning television journalist and bestselling author Jane Velez-Mitchell.

DC VegFest this year is on October 3. You may be surprised by what you don’t miss.