Vegetarian Summerfest, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Every summer the North American Vegetarian Society hosts the annual Summerfest conference, a five day gathering held at the Johnstown, PA, campus of the University of Pittsburg. This year was the 40th anniversary of the event, held from July 2-6, with a lineup of over 60 top-notch speakers touching on subjects ranging from health, nutrition, cooking, fitness, animal rights, the environment, and compassionate living; there are activities for kids, and socialization opportunities during, between, and after the scheduled sessions; authors are available between sessions for book signings; and the bookstore is filled with books on all the topics touched on during the conference.  Somewhere between 700 and 800 attendees show up, from newbies to seasoned vegetarians, young and old, families, singles, and couples. The meals, included in the package, are 100% plant based, with options for gluten-free, raw, and oil-free. There really is something for everyone here! This year marks the third time Dan and I attended Summerfest. We try to make it any time we know we will be on this side of the country in July. Each time we attend we are filled with renewed enthusiasm for this way of eating and overall lifestyle, often giving us a much needed boost. Being around like-minded people is good for the spirit, and with each conference, we make new friends as well as rekindle previous friendships. Here are some pictures of our visit.