DC VegFest 2013 is Almost Here!

Words can't express how excited I am for the DC VegFest 2013 sponsored by Compassion Over Killing! Taking place on Saturday, September 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Yards Park in Washington, DC, this vegetarian festival promises to be bigger and better than ever. I recently attended a preview party and got the scoop on all the fun that is scheduled for this weekend. Here goes!

First off, the food! There are 111 vendors scheduled to be at the VegFest and you can bet that many of them will be there allowing you to sample and buy delicious vegan food! Some of the vendors include Pete's Apizza, Woodlands Vegan Bistro, Khepra's Juice Bar, Loving Hut, Mango Grove, and Beyond Meat.

And you better believe that sweets have not been left out of this mix. After you have some delicious falafels from Amsterdam Falafelshop, then head over to Sticky Fingers Sweets & Treats to get some of their amazing brownies.

Or try cookies made with the new Beyond Eggs product by Hampton Creek Foods.

Or better yet, go home with a mix of truffles like cookie dough covered in Oreos, caramels, and a vegan version of Mounds all wrapped up in a Vegan Treats truffle box.

Oh, and in-between your three meals at VegFest, you'll be able to see awesome cooking demos by Dr. Ruby Lathon, Dan & Annie Shannon, authors of Betty Goes Vegan, Ayinde Howell, and Doron Petersan of Sticky Fingers.

There are some great speakers as well. For example:

• 12:20 p.m.:  Paul Shapiro: From the Margins to the Mainstream: Veg Eating in America 
• 12:55 p.m.:  Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Finding Myself
• 1:30 p.m.:    Dr. Milton Mills: Improve Your Health and Longevity with a Plant-Based Diet
• 2:45 p.m.:    Josh Tetrick: Beyond Eggs: The Future of Food

And throughout the day, you can stop by the vendors and learn about whatever you'd like. Examples of some nonprofits that will be there are: Vegan Outreach, The Humane League, PCRM, and Vegetarian Society of DC.

Other commercial vendors will include: vegan sausages by Field Roast and Tofurky, bars by Kate Bakes, raw tonics and treats by Gouter, and amazing vegan cheeses by Treeline Treenut Cheese. The cheeses are so good!

Then, head over to the beer and wine garden sponsored by Bread & Brew to try their signature cocktails.

And if all of that didn't entice you to come join us at the DC VegFest, I don't know what will. Perhaps the official proclamation from Mayor Gray that September 28th is DC VegFest Day and that the mayor is ordering all people within a 50-mile radius to go to the VegFest will help you make your decision.

Lastly, if I can leave you with an insider tip, it is to get there early! The first 1,000 people will get a commemorative bag loaded with great vegan products and other items! Last year, the line started early so line up around 10:30 to get awesome, free goodies, then spend the day at VegFest! I hope to see you there!

Yards Park is located at 10 Water Street SE, Washington, DC -- just a few blocks off the Navy Yard Metro stop on the green line.