DC VegFest 2012: A Free Vegetarian Celebration in the Nation's Capital

WASHINGTON, DC, September 19, 2012 (Press-News.org) On Sat., Sept. 22, thousands of people will gather at Yards Park to explore - and celebrate - the best of everything vegetarian in and around the nation's capital at the fourth annual DC VegFest. This FREE outdoor (and dog-friendly) festival features engaging speakers, cooking demonstrations, free food samples, a beer and wine garden, more than 100 exhibitors, a kids' area, a cupcake eating contest and much more!

What: DC VegFest, online at DCVegFest.com
Where: Yards Park, 300 Water St, SE, DC (next to Nationals Stadium)
Metro: Navy Yard Metro (New Jersey Ave exit) on the green line
When: Sat., Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Co-organized by Compassion Over Killing and the Vegetarian Society of D.C., the DC VegFest highlights the many benefits of choosing vegetarian foods and shows how easy and delicious it is to leave animals off our plates. Attendees will enjoy free food samples from Gardein, Field Roast, The Vegg, Beyond Meat (at the Conscious Corner booth) and more. There will be more than a dozen food vendors, including Amsterdam Falafel, Bread & Brew, Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats, Dama Ethiopian and Everlasting Life Cafe.

There will also be American Sign Language interpreters so everyone can enjoy our special guest speakers:
• Jane Velez-Mitchell, CNN reporter
• Rich Roll, vegan ultra-athlete and author of Finding Ultra
• Doron Petersan, owner of Sticky Fingers Sweet & Eats and Cupcake Wars champion
• Dr. Michael Greger, Dir. of Public Health and Animal Agriculture at the Humane Society of the US
• Bruce Friedrich, Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives at Farm Sanctuary
• Afya Ibomu, author, holistic health counselor, entrepreneur and journalist
• Terry Hope Romero, cookbook author, chef and speaker

Plus, the first 1,000 attendees will get a free 2012 DC VegFest commemorative bag loaded with veg-friendly products, coupons and more!

"Choosing vegetarian foods is one of the best ways we can help protect our health, the planet and animals," says Erica Meier, Executive Director of Compassion Over Killing. "The DC VegFest has something for everyone, so bring your family and friends to learn why this festival continues to grow every year!"

"Now, more than ever, people are eating less meat," adds Vegetarian Society of D.C. President Saurabh Dalal. "The DC VegFest shows people how easy it is to find meat-free options."

Press Contact:
Katie Vann, Communications Coordinator, Compassion Over Killing, kvann@cok.net or 301-891-2458

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.