Hippies Rejoice: 2010 VegFest Next Saturday

There is a difference between vegetarians and vegans: vegetarians abstain from consuming the meat of animals, whereas vegans abstain from consuming any animal products at all.  Regardless, both vegetarians and vegans should head to GW's University Yard this Saturdayfor this year's VegFest.  Organized by Compassion Over Killing, the D.C. VegFest celebrates and spreads knowledge about vegetarian and vegan lifestyles that consciously choose to modify diet and daily routines in an effort to acknowledge the detrimental effect consuming animal meat and products has on our bodies, our ecosystems, and our world.

Big names attending this year include:

Chef Tal Ronnen, author of The Conscious Cook, and Oprah's vegan chef

NBC4 Washington's Wendy Reiger, the anchor who brings you the weekly "Going Green" segment

Colman McCarthey, author of Living Peacefully with Animals--All Animals

Robert Cheeke, author of Vegan Bodybuilding and Fitness

Tracye McQuirter author of By Any Greens Necessary

Lauren Van Der Pool, author of Ecolicious

Cooking demonstrations, book signings, free love, and hemp necklaces will abound.

Here are some photos from last year's event, where local vegan/vegetarian restaurants peddled their grub and veggie knowledge:

[photos via]