WORLD VEG FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED FOR SAN FRANCISCO

AUGUST 25, San Francisco, California — The San Francisco Vegetarian Society (SFVS) and In Defense of Animals (IDA), will be presenting WORLD VEG FESTIVAL, commemorating World Vegetarian Day.

The two-day event takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 4 & 5, 2008 in the San Francisco County Fair Building, located at the Lincoln and 9th Avenue entrance to Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

"Our Award Winning Festival celebrates its 9th year with an action packed weekend of very informative lectures by the movers and shakers of the vegetarian movement," said Dixie Mahy, the President of the San Francisco Vegetarian Society, "plus creative vegan cooking demos; international cuisine to sample or buy; a Children's Corner play area, and a variety of world entertainment."

The San Francisco Vegetarian Society was organized forty years ago in 1968 when thirty people responded to a classified ad, "Vegetarians Unite!" Last year the Veg Festival attracted 4,500 people.

Board member and Treasurer Joseph Cadiz explained, "For the last couple of years, Mayor Gavin Newsom has declared our event as World Vegetarian Day in the City. We anticipate he will do the same this year."

The event, that first began nine years ago, has become so popular in recent years SFVS decided two years ago to collaborate with In Defense of Animals to spur on more growth in the festival. One immediate change was to make it a two-day event instead of just one.

"In addition there will be plenty of booths where festival goers can purchase a diverse assortment of ethnic, vegan foods and an array of earth and vegan friendly merchandise." said Cadiz.

The event is 10am to 6pm on Oct 4 & 5; has a $6 suggested donation, otherwise it is free for Children, Students, and Seniors.

"We have an early bird special - free to everyone to 10:30 a.m. both days." said Mahy.

For more details, visit the official website http://www.sfvs.org/wvd