Following last year’s unfortunately last-minute cancelation due to a severe weather warning, DC VegFest is returning on Sunday, Aug. 11, at a brand new location: Nationals Park. Presented by Compassion Over Killing, The DC VegFest is a free fun-filled festival of food, music, education, and inspiration with thousands of attendees who join the celebration each year from all around the Mid-Atlantic area.
“As we embark on another year hosting the DC VegFest, expecting 25,000 to join us, Compassion Over Killing is thrilled that Washington, DC is home to an abundance of delicious and nutritious plant-based food and is setting a positive tone for a much-needed national dialogue about the far-reaching impact of our food choices on the planet, our health, and animals,” said Compassion Over Killing Executive Director Erica Meier.
Featuring over 120 vendors and exhibitors, thousands of festival-goers – vegans and pre-vegans alike – will experience plant-based eating’s many flavors, and learn how each of us can protect the planet, our health, and animals simply by enjoying vegan meals.
Among the participating vendors and exhibitors will be Vegan Treats, Amsterdam Falafelshop, Brewing Good Coffee, Bakeshop DC, Ben & Jerry’s, YogiDog, Dr. Bronner’s, A Well-Fed World, Roots Market, Barnard Medical Center, and TryVeg.com.
On the main stage, emceed by DC comedian Sean Savoy, celebrity speakers will share inspiring talks and expert chefs will dazzle the crowd with their culinary creations.
This year’s DC VegFest keynote speakers include:
- Tracye McQuirter, author of By Any Greens Necessary
- Neil Barnard, author and founding president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
- Brenda Sanders, food activist and Executive Director of Afro-Vegan Society
In addition, The Washington Post‘s food editor Joe Yonan and plant-based chef and author Bev Kumari. will conduct cooking demo. And the DC VegFest Kid’s Zone will be back with a built in playground and featured activities like face painting, and an interactive cartooning demonstration with Eric Lindstrom, Compassion Over Killing‘s director of marketing.
A new attraction to this year’s event is a TryVeg Tasting Booth hosted by Jessica Carter, Compassion Over Killing staff member and frequent guest of many DC morning shows.
This year’s new location at Nationals Park also means the addition of built-in shade, indoor restrooms, and misting fans to beat the summer heat.
A free commemorative tote bags, stocked with gifts and samples from our sponsors, will be given out to the first 1,000 attendees. DC VegFest attendees may also make a donation to receive various bonuses such as a reserved tote bag, a skip the line pass for the popular Vegan Treats booth, and/or access to a new VIP Lounge to mingle with DC VegFest speakers and chefs, and enjoy exclusive food and product samples, including a selection from Vegan Treats.
