Planet Bethesda: Plant-Based Earth Fest

Food festivals are all the rage, but selecting tasty treats at your average food festival can be frustrating when following a vegan diet. Choices can be limited in a world dominated by meat and dairy consumers. Fortunately, vegfests provide a fun opportunity to taste test everything in sight. Food festivals that cater specifically to plant-based foods or establishments allow vegans to eat worry-free and give non-vegans an excellent way to taste-test various vegan offerings.

Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM), alongside the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and Sustainable Earth Eating (SEE), is proud to be hosting an exciting vegan festival in Bethesda, Maryland. Planet Bethesda will take place on Sunday, June 5, at Elm Street Park from 12 pm – 6 pm. The event will feature food, music, and fun for the whole family.

PLANT- BASED PLANET-BASED FOOD VENDORS

Contrary to widespread belief, vegan food is abundant and delicious. Choosing a vegan lifestyle does not have to mean you are giving up all the foods you love. It simply means you may have to find alternative versions of the foods you love. Some of those versions are even better than the original. The only way to find vegan foods you love is to try them out. Do not let one experience set the tone for all vegan foods. You may love one and hate another, but that is the case with food of any kind. You need a mind that is open to trying new things.

Food vendors at Planet Bethesda will be “serving up small dishes of their most cutting-edge, creative and plant-based foods.” Among the restaurants and food vendors participating are:

• DogHaus
• True Food Kitchen
• The Red Bandana
• Berries and Bowls
• Tikka Masala
• Guardado’s Restaurant
• Zao Stamina Ramen
• Cipolla Rossa Pizzeria
• Zoe’s Vegan Delight
• Jarabe
• Bethesda Curry Kitchen
• Eat the Change

You are virtually guaranteed to find a dish or two you love with so many options available.

Other Planet Bethesda vendors include:

• Clean Choice Energy
• Green Earth Travel
• Elysiem Pet Boutique
• JusRedor Collection

MAIN STAGE SPEAKERS AT PLANET BETHESDA

Planet Bethesda’s Main Stage will feature numerous informational and inspirational speakers who are experts in their fields. Come early and stick around to hear what each of these professionals says.

• Lisa DeCrescente, Director of Special Projects, Farm Animal Rights Movement
• Dr. Vanita Rahman, Clinic Director, Barnard Medical Center
• US Congressman Jamie Raskin, Maryland’s 8th Congressional District
• Eric C. Lindstrom, Executive Director, Farm Animal Rights Movement
• Dr. Milton Mills, Internal Medicine Specialist
• Jane DeMarines, Executive Director, Sustainable Earth Eating
• Dr. Lakshman Mulpuri, PCRM

PLANET BETHESDA KIDS’ KORNER

Sponsored by Georgetown Hill Early School, Kids’ Korner will offer fun and educational activities to keep your little ones entertained. Kids can have their face painted, get a Henna tattoo, take home a caricature, or show off their crafty side at the World Environment Day Kraft Korner.

In addition, the main stage will host the Mad Science Earth Show, a fascinating, 45-minute, interactive science show for kids and adults of all ages.

MORE FUN AT PLANET BETHESDA

If you are up for a little more fun, make your way to the main stage at 4:30 for the Pie Eating Contest sponsored by The Red Bandana Bakery. Watch contestants race to finish a 9″ fruit pie from Red Bandana, or sign up to try your luck. The winner will receive a generous basket filled with plant-based goodies.

If relaxing with a cold drink is more your speed, check out Planet Bethesda’s Bier Garten.

PLANET BETHESDA SPONSORS

The generous support of local businesses is what makes any VegFest possible. Those supporting Planet Bethesda are:

• Long & Foster Real Estate
• TD Bank
• VegFund
• Georgetown Hill Early School
• 3^rd Rock Essentials
• MOM’s Organic Market
• HOTBIN Composting
• Beyond Investing
• Hyatt Regency Bethesda

“Coming out of the pandemic we are so happy to be hosting one of the first in person festivals in the area. We expect a huge turnout and are so appreciative to all the Bethesda based businesses that have contributed to the ultimate success of this event,” says Lisa DeCrescente of FARM.

OTHER VEGFESTS NATIONWIDE

While Bethesda, Maryland, may not be right around the corner for everyone, that does not mean you have to miss out. Cities all over the nation host vegfests throughout the year. Maybe one of these will be a little closer to you. Consider one from this calendar from the American Vegan Society. Some are virtual; some are in-person events. If all else fails, perhaps it is time for you to become the next vegan activist and plan a vegfest of your own.

On Facebook? Stay -up-to-date on Planet Bethesda happenings (and RSVP) here.