UPDATE: Due to complications in weather surround Hurricane Florence, this year’s VegFest has been cancelled until further notice.
Last Wednesday, Busboys and Poets hosted its annual VegFest Preview Party. For the last ten years Compassion over Killing has presented this local festival of all things vegan.
Four years ago, Busboys and Poets founder, Andy Shallal, said that in five years, his goal was to have Busboys and Poets a completely vegan restaurant. It isn’t quite there yet – he’s got a year to go to meet his goal – but the demand for vegan food in DC is growing each year, while non-profits and vegan food creators are working to make eating vegan more 
accessible and delicious.
This year’s DC VegFest will be hosted at Yards Park on Saturday, September 15, 2018 from 11:00am – 6:00pm, expecting over 25,000 attendees.
There will be something for the whole family to enjoy: Busboys and Poets will have a beer garden and a music tent with local brews and musicians, there will be a shaded barking lot for furry friends, and even adoptions on site from the Humane Rescue Alliance.
There will also be a Kid’s Zone with interactive activities, over 100 nonprofit and commercial exhibitors, such as Dr. Bronner’s, A Well-Fed World, Roots Market and more, and the best part: vegan food from dozens of vendors including some favorites such as Vegan Treats, Amsterdam Falafelshop, Bakeshop DC, Revolution Gelato and YogiDog, and more.
Some of this year’s inspiring speakers include:
- Ginny Messina
- Joe Yonan
- Chef Nikki
- Tracye McQuiter
- Dr. Neal Barnard
- Carol Adams
…and the whole thing will be emceed by emerging artist and vegan rapper Grey.
As a bonus, the first 1,000 attendees will receive a free tote bag filled with goodies and samples, and five golden tickets will be given to those who donate $10 to Compassion over Killing.
