If there was one resonating complaint about the first NYC Vegetarian Food Festival, it was that it wasn’t held outdoors. East coasters, here you go.

The D.C. VegFest is a free, outdoor festival being held this year on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 11am-6pm at George Washington University.

Organized by Compassion Over Killing and The Vegetarian Society of DC, the event will feature a talk with Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO of The Humane Society of the United States and a cooking demonstration by vegan chef, Isa Chandra Moskowitz among its numerous speakers slated to appear.

With food vendors, like Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant and Cupcake Wars winner Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats; commercial vendors, like Arbonne and Vaute Couture; and non-profit organizations, like Mercy for Animals and Farm Sanctuary, this is shaping up to be an exciting 7 hours to kick off your fall season.

Still need convincing? Check out highlights from last year’s festivities!