Thank you for celebrating with us! We want your feedback - take our short survey!
The DC VegFest is a FREE outdoor festival celebrating the very best of everything vegetarian in and around the nation's capital. There are so many reasons to choose vegetarian foods—for our health, the planet, and animals—and Washington, D.C. offers wonderful opportunities to explore meatless cuisine. The DC VegFest has something for everyone to enjoy, so bring along your family and friends, including your furry four-legged companions! 
2011 DC VegFest Draws in the Biggest Crowd Yet!
On Sept. 24, 2011, more than 6,000 visitors joined us at the DC VegFest, making this event—the largest vegetarian celebration in the nation’s capital— even bigger than last year’s festival!
Crowds gathered well before the event’s start time of 11 a.m. forming long lines in hopes of snagging one of the 500 free DC VegFest 2011 commemorative bags loaded with free product samples -- within 10 minutes, all 500 bags were gone! And with the event just underway, festival-goers quickly turned their attention to more than 75 exhibitors -- including 20 restaurants dishing out delicious food -- spread out all over the University Yard at George Washington Univ. The massive tent where presentations were hosted was packed throughout the day, often with standing room only. The book-signing lines for Wayne Pacelle, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau and Isa Chandra Moskowitz wrapped around the corner with excited fans waiting for a photo-op. And thanks to a fantastic group of American Sign Language interpreters, all of the speakers were able to reach an even broader audience.
Check out all of our photos from the 2011 DC VegFest -- and we'll keep adding more as volunteers and festival-goers keep sharing them with us!
DC VegFest 2011 was tremendous success thanks to all the support from our generous sponsors, wonderful exhibitors, amazing volunteers, and, of course, the thousands of attendees who came out to discover and celebrate the many benefits of vegetarian eating. Tell us how the DC VegFest inspired you -- or your friends and family.
Want to hear what are other people saying? Check out all of the reviews that are pouring in, including the Washington Post, DC Event Junkie, Brightest Young Things, Everyday Revelry, and The Hatchet.
DC VegFest Map - highlights road closures and exhibitor locations!
The DC VegFest is conveniently located at George Washington University on the Univ. Yard, just 4 blocks from the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro station on the orange and blue lines.
However, if you are driving please note there are planned road closures around the venue for a World Bank/IMF meeting. Click on the map to the right for a larger view -- and be sure read our updated directions. Learn more about the road closures on WJLA.com.
Our new map also lets you get a jump start on finding the location of your favorite exhibitors! These maps, which also help you find ATM machines, bike racks, and bathrooms, will be posted around the venue.
Rain or shine, see you at the DC VegFest!
DC VegFest is Almost Here: Rain or Shine, We've Got Free Bags, Food Samples, Prizes and More!
The long-awaited and much-anticipated 2011 DC VegFest is on! With 8 speakers, 2 cooking demos, over 75 vendors including 18 restaurants, a cupcake eating contest, free food samples, free cholesterol tests, a chance to win prizes, and more -- this event will be shining no matter what the weather is like!
Got questions? We’ve got answers! Here are some answers to some of your FAQs:
-
-
This event is rain or shine - but don't worry, all presentations will be fully covered with a huge tent! -
Dogs are allowed: The event is outdoors, and dogs should be kept on a leash
-
500 free bags will be given out at the main INFO booth at 11am on a first come, first serve basis
Free food samples are being offered throughout the venue, generously donated from Gardein, Tofurky, Field Roast, Edward & Sons, Soyummi, and other companies.-
Our prize give-away has gone mobile! Text "DCVF" to 55678 now to register for a chance to win cookbooks, lunchboxes, and more -- and we'll also give you updates and reminders throughout the day so you won't miss your favorite speakers or cooking demos! (you must be at the event to win) - There are bike racks on the University Yard and nearby the venue
-
There is no free parking, but there’s a nearby garage as well as metered street parking
-
It's Metro accessible: 3 blocks from the Foggy Bottom station (orange/blue lines) - look for signs
- We’ll have activities for kids, so bring along your whole family!
-
- ASL interpreters will be at each presentation
- Everyone is welcome, and we strongly encourage you to bring along your meat-eating (a.k.a. vegetarian-to-be) friends
Note: there are some street closures around the venue due a nearby meeting at the World Bank -- stay tuned for an updated post with more detail.
Wish You Could Take the DC VegFest Home with You?
Or maybe you want to show off to everyone that you were at DC VegFest 2011! Or perhaps you're worried that that there will be too many amazing things to carry them all in your hands?
If you miss out on the first 500 free bags, don’t worry—we’ll have a few extra on hand that will be on sale for a mere $5 (fully loaded with samples)! Limited quantities available.
See you this Saturday, September 24!
Everyone is Talking About VegFest!
It’s been mentioned in news outlets from The Washington Post and the The Examiner to NBC Washington and the Washington City Paper. We're even being talked about by Brightest Young Things and B*tches Who Brunch!
Food blogs Capital Spice and Lunching in the DMV are giving away $10 in FREE DC VegFest Bucks, which are good for any of the 18 food vendors at the event. You have until 11:59pm on Wednesday to enter!
Scout Mob is getting hungry for VegFest by checking out the LONG list of veg restaurants on VegDC.com and DC Vegan is excited for the Sticky Fingers Cupcake Eating Contest!
To see who else is talking about us, visit our News page.
DC VegFest is just a few days away! Don't forget to RSVP on Facebook. And help spread the word!
Newsflash: Sticky Fingers Cupcake Eating Contest - Contestants Wanted!
Did you find yourself wanting to lick your TV screen when Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats won Cupcake Wars? Then this is a dream come true: Sticky Fingers is hosting its Cupcake Eating Contest at the 2011 DC VegFest!
Sticky Fingers is recruiting 10 hungry competitors to down 5 cupcakes--while their hands are tied behind their backs. All competitors will go home with a full belly plus some Sticky Fingers swag, but the lucky winner will also get a $50 Sticky Fingers gift certificate along with all the glory that comes with winning first place in an eating contest!
How do you enter for a chance to compete? Make a donation of $10 or more to Compassion Over Killing, Pinups for Pit Bulls or Washington Humane Society and send a copy of your receipt or proof of payment to info@stickyfingersbakery.com.
Hurry - there are only 10 spots in all and entries MUST be received by Thursday, September 22 at 11:59pm. Competitors will be chosen at random and you will be notified by email Friday morning!
New for 2011: We'll Have American Sign Language Interpreters at Each Presentation!
If you read the incredible speaker lineup for DC VegFest and immediately started planning your strategy to maneuver through the crowds in order to plant yourself in the front row, you'll notice more than just our speakers on stage!
Thanks to an amazing group of volunteers, we'll have American Sign Language interpreters available for all of our speakers!
Because hearing isn't necessary to devour every delicious word of a Vegan with a Vengeance cooking demo from Isa Chandra Moskowitz or to know how easy it is to transition to a plant-based diet with Colleen Patrick Goudreau, author of the newly-released 30-Day Vegan Challenge.
We wanted everyone to fully experience the inner world of animals with animal behavior expert, Jonathan Balcombe, and to share a deep understanding the relationship between humans and animals with Wayne Pacelle as he discusses his new book, The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them.
Our schedule is now posted: We've got an all-star speaker line-up!
By now, we hope you've already marked your calendar -- the DC VegFest is less than 2 weeks away!
What can you expect throughout the day? In addition to lots of food, friends, and fun, the schedule is now online -- and it's jam-packed with dynamic speakers, fantastic cooking demos, and many opportunities for book signings.
Opening the event is local favorite NBC4-TV anchor Wendy Rieger who is joining us for the third year in row! After she kicks off the 2011 DC VegFest, we'll dive into the inner world of animals with animal behavior expert, Jonathan Balcombe followed by a cooking demo by Brennan Gerald.
Next up is Colleen Patrick-Goudreau who will share with us the joys and ease of transitioning to a plant-based diet, encouraging everyone to take her 30-Day Vegan Challenge! Then we'll go inside for a fun interactive quiz about the latest in human nutrition, hosted by Dr. Michael Greger who will also be offering free cholesterol tests throughout the day at his NutritionFacts.org booth.
Shifting back outside, Dawn Moncrieffe will briefly share with us details about her research project linking meat production with higher gas prices. And we'll then be joined by Wayne Pacelle who will discuss his new book, The Bond: Our Kindship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them.
Then get ready for a Vegan with a Vengeance cooking demo by Isa Chandra Moskowitz! And Maryland Delegate Aruna Miller will inspire us to get more politically active, empowering us to reach out to our elected representatives about the importance of taking steps to protect our health, the planet and animals.
For specific times, visit our online schedule. Will you be there? Let everyone know: RSVP on Facebook -- and help spread the word about this exciting vegetarian celebration!
Want to be the first to get the latest news? Get updates on your phone: text DCVF to 55678
The DC VegFest - Starring Our Amazing Sponsors!
As we count down the days til the big day—there are just 18 left!— we’d like to take a moment to recognize the generosity and support of DC VegFest’s sponsors.
We're incredibly thankful to feature our amazing top-level Three-Star sponsors: A Well-Fed World, Sticky Fingers Bakery and Daiya Foods!
At the Two-Star level, we're honored to be supported by Turtle Island Foods (aka Tofurky), Conscious Corner, American Vegan Society, and Mom's Organic Market.
And we couldn't host this event without all of our awesome One-Star sponsors: Amsterdam Falafelshop, Bread & Brew, The Vegetarian Resource Group, The Humane Society of the United States, Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant, Boot Camp Girl, Cafe Green, Earth Balance, Green Menu, No Meat Athlete, and Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM).
We’re so appreciative to all of our sponsors who are helping make this free vegetarian celebration possible—so don’t forget to grab a friend (or two!), come on out, meet all of our sponsors and show your support for this event!
We can’t wait to see all of you on Saturday, September 24 at George Washington University. Please help spread the word!
17 Ways to Satisfy Your Appetite at the DC VegFest!
UPDATE: Now there are 18 ways to satisfy your appetite! Fojol Bros. of Benethiopia and of Merlindia will also be dishing out delicious animal-friendly foods at the DC VegFest!
There's so much to love about the DC VegFest, from our speakers to the cooking demos to the kids activity area -- though we know that one of the most popular features at this annual event is the food! And the 2011 DC VegFest promises to deliver. With 17 different food vendors to choose from, be sure to bring your appetite -- and maybe some extra tupperware and a friend to carry stuff home with you.
For starters, why not split Bread & Brew's frisbee-sized plate of vegan nachos with a few friends? Then maybe mozy on over to Mojo Juice to quench your midday thirst. Maybe you're in the mood for a savory meal from the award-winning Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats or want to grab a made-to-order burrito from Burrito Bandits. From Indian to Ethiopian to Pan-Asian to Middle Eastern to Soul Food, there's something for everyone.
And don't forget to satisfy your sweet tooth -- stop by Bakeshop, Vegan Treats, Sweet & Natural and, of course, Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats to name a few of the places dishing out delicious sweet treats
But wait .. there's more! Be sure to save room for our free samples from Gardein, Field Roast, Earth Balance, and more.
With so much good food, you won't go home hungry! Mark your calendar now, and RSVP on Facebook to help spread the word.