Travel

The Best Vegetarian Festivals in the U.S.

Nothing beats a festival devoted to great vegetarian food and other animal-friendly treats! The U.S. has a bounty of fun-filled festivals that celebrate living la vida vegetarian. After searching far and wide for the best vegetarian festivals in the country, we've compiled our picks here.

Before you make travel arrangements to attend these fantastic festivals, check out the right column for our helpful tips—from gear for the road to what you should wear when you’re there!

Now that we've taken care of you, what about your dog? Before you decide whether you should take your dog with you, try to see things from his or her point of view. Is the drive too long? Will your furry friend be allowed at the festival, or will he or she be cooped up in a hotel room while you're having fun in the sun? If your dog is better off staying behind, find a reputable companion-animal sitter to take care of him or her while you're away. If your pup is up for an adventure with you, make sure that you prepare for a road trip with Rover.

Vegetarian Festivals

Note: Dates and times are subject to change. Please verify all information before making plans.

Baltimore, Maryland

What:	Animal Aid Concert
When:	March 25, 2-7 p.m.
Where:	The Creative Alliance at The Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave.
More Info:	410-750-1605 animalaidconcert@yahoo.com

With more than 15 musical acts, a dozen animal-friendly exhibitors, a variety of delicious vegan foods, a hot-sauce eating contest, a hula-hoop contest, and a benefit auction, this event benefits different animal rights organizations and is all about music, meals, merriment, and making a difference.

Boston, Massachusetts

What:	12th Annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival
When:	October 20, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where:	Reggie Lewis Athletic Center
More Info:	617-424-8846 bvs@ivu.org www.bostonveg.org/foodfest

With more than 100 animal-friendly exhibitors, free samples of new vegetarian foods, loads of exciting animal rights educational displays, cooking demos by award-winning chefs, lectures by top national speakers, a children's activity center, and "show special" discounts, this blowout in "Bean Town" offers something for everyone.

Charlottesville, Virginia

What:	2007 Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival
When:	September 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where:	Lee Park
More Info:	434-979-1200 info@cvillevegfest.org www.cvillevegfest.org

This free outdoor event is one of the largest vegetarian festivals in the country—with more than 100 exhibitors and between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors every year. It features restaurant booths, compassionate-living exhibitors, a dog and cat adoption fair, games for the kids, and fundraising activities for a spay/neuter project.

Ferndale, Michigan

What:	Metro Detroit's Great American Meatout 2007
When:	March 18, 12 noon-5 p.m.
Where:	Ferndale High School, 881 Pinecrest St.
More Info:	1-877-778-3464 www.detroitmeatout.org

Help yourself to free food samples as well as food from local vegetarian-friendly restaurants, presentations about the benefits of a meatless diet, free literature, health screenings, cooking demonstrations, and much, much more.

Louisville, Kentucky

What:	EarthSave Louisville Taste of Health Festival
When:	May 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where:	Slugger Field
More Info:	www.louisville.earthsave.org (organization's Web site) www.hphpfunfest.org (2006 festival Web site)

This festival is sponsored by EarthSave, whose mission is to educate the public "about the powerful effects our food choices have on the environment, our health, and all life on Earth" and encourage "a shift toward a healthy, plant-based diet." The event features an extensive restaurant sampling fair, keynote addresses by renowned speakers, a special family program, a bookstore, and many interesting exhibits and cooking demos.

Maui, Hawaii

What:	Maui's 3rd Annual Veganfest
When:	November 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where:	Kahului Community Center, 275 Uhu St.
More Info:	808-964-3463

With lectures on vegan health and nutrition by holistic physicians, soothing meditation music, vegan food samples from companies like Vitasoy and Tofurky, organic fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers, live cooking demonstrations by Maui's famous chefs, educational literature, and an array of nonleather merchandise and cruelty-free cosmetics, this festival is all about promoting compassionate living and a healthy lifestyle.

Portland, Maine

What:	Maine Animal Coalition's 3rd Annual Vegetarian Food Festival
When:	April 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where:	The Salt Gallery, 110 Exchange St.
More Info:	207-773-2215 mac@maineanimalcoalition.org www.maineanimalcoalition.org

Speakers, catered vegan food, vegan product samples, educational displays, and a raffle are just some of the things awaiting you at this fun festival!

Portland, Oregon

What:	VegFest 2007: A Compassionate Living Fair
When:	May 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where:	Reggie Benson High School, 546 N.E. 12th Ave.
More Info:	jill@nwveg.org www.nwveg.org

Sample a variety of different foods and peruse a mountain of animal-friendly merchandise and interesting exhibits while enjoying the entertainment, classes, workshops, cooking demos, and family activities.

San Francisco, California

What:	8th Annual Award-Winning World Vegetarian Weekend Celebration
When:	September 29-30
Where:	Golden Gate Park
More Info:	415-273-5481 info@sfvs.org www.sfvs.org

Prepare to enjoy two full days of good fun, great food, and awesome entertainment. This impressive festival in the heart of Golden Gate Park features tons of top-notch speakers, an organic athlete conference, lots of international vegan foods to sample and buy, a host of healthy cooking demos, an eco-fashion show, a children's corner, and lively entertainment from around the world.

Sarasota, Florida

What:	14th Annual Vegetarian & Compassionate Living Festival
When:	November 4, 12 noon-3:30 p.m.
Where:	Phillippi Estate Park Mansion, 5500 S. Tamiami Trl.
More Info:	941-924-2505

Veggie burgers and veggie dogs with all the trimmings, salads, fruits, and free samples of vegetarian food prepared by local restaurants are just some of the many munchies on the menu. The festival also offers lots of live music, a raffle, and an array of cruelty-free vendors.

Seattle, Washington

What:	Vegfest 2007
When:	March 24-25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where:	Seattle Center's Exhibition Hall
More Info:	206-706-2635 contact@vegofwa.org www.vegofwa.org/vegfest

Taste more than 500 free food samples, see cooking demos by chefs from across the country, hear the latest trends in nutrition from a variety of speakers, choose from a wide selection of animal-friendly books, and check out the free health screenings and face painting at this huge festival.

Syracuse, New York

What:	Veg Fest '07
When:	August 25-26
Where:	Syracuse Inner Harbor
More Info:	info@communityanimalproject.org www.communityanimalproject.org

Benefiting the Community Animal Project—a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping animals and reducing their suffering—this two-day festival includes an adopt-a-thon and is packed full of speakers, musical entertainment, film screenings, and cruelty-free vendors.

If you want to get more active for animals in your community, join PETA's Activist Network. This network is a crucial part of our work to help animals. The Activist Network will keep you informed about local demonstrations and leafleting opportunities. Join now!