Hundreds gather to celebrate Third Annual Vegfest

[Guest guest]

On Saturday, April 22, Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City was transformed. The sound of bands playing, the aroma from grills and the festival atmosphere were vast departures from the silence generally observed at a library.Families, skateboarders and hundreds of others from all walks of life filled Library Square to celebrate the third annual Vegfest Fest. The festival was organized by University of Utah's Student Organization for Animal Rights to promote vegetarianism and better nutrition while providing a good time for the community. "I don't know why you're all here. It's too hot. I wouldn't be here if I didn't have to be here," said guitarist and vocalist Chris Jex of local indie rock band Incamera.Despite the heat and the unforgiving sun, hundreds of people were undeterred and continued to file into Library Square for the day's events. Leici Hendrix, co-coordinator and recent University of Utah graduate, believes that vegetarianism

is healthy not only for humans, but for the planet as well."Basically, we are out here to promote vegetarianism and veganism as the best thing to do for the Earth," said Hendrix in describing aligning Vegfest with Earth Day.A vegan is a person that chooses not to eat anything that comes from an animal. This means no dairy, eggs or meat. Along with not eating animals, vegans choose not to wear any animal products such as leather. According to tryveg.com, a person chooses to go vegan to save animals from slaughter and for the numerous health benefits. Along with the ethical and health reasons, the website also details the environmental benefits of a vegan diet."Raising animals for food is one of the leading causes of pollution and resource depletion today. Vegetarian eating helps protect the natural environment," reads the tryveg.com website which is a project of Compassion Over Killing. COK is a national nonprofit group working to advocate

for a vegan diet.Along with Incamera, another local band, Vile Blue Shades, rocked the plaza. Featuring three drummers, three guitarists, as well as keyboardists, the fifteen piece band provided the soundtrack for people to dance and browse the numerous tables of local organizations such as Ching Farm Rescue and Sanctuary that provides a life-long home and care to abandoned farm animals. Peter H

 

24 FIFA World Cup tickets to be won with Mail. Learn more