On a gorgeous Sunday, June 5th, an estimated 2,500 people converged on Elm Street Urban Park in Bethesda, Maryland, for a World Environment Day Festival. Planet Bethesda, hosted by Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM), Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), and Sustainable Earth Eating (SEE), was unlike any previous “vegfest,” as it attracted thousands of people to the park; regardless of their current dietary choices.

Event highlights:
With more than a dozen Bethesda-area restaurants, eateries, green energy companies, clothing retailers, eco-smart merchandise retailers, cruelty-free personal care represented, the energetic crowds started forming at noon and continued throughout the day.

Whether they were attending for the plant-based food (and willing to stand in lines), the Kids’ Korner activities, the beer garden, the speakers, canine courtyard, or to just meet with family and friends, Elm Street Park was alive with energy as music set the backdrop for the festival atmosphere.

The speaker lineup:
Planet Bethesda was kicked off with a rousing talk by Congressman Jamie Raskin which led to opportunities for Maryland residents to interact with the Maryland Congressman and engage in dialogue and photo opportunities; throughout the day, other distinguished voices were heard on the main stage, including:

• Vanita Rahman, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician, certified nutritionist, and personal trainer represented PCRM
• Seth Goldman, co-founder of Eat the Change® and PLNT Burger, brands that empowers consumers to make dietary choices aligned with their concerns around climate and health
• Eric C Lindstrom, Executive Director of Farm Animal Rights Movement
• Dr. Milton R. Mills, who has lectured and given research seminars across the United States, Mexico, Canada and the UK on a variety of preventive health topics, including the negative impacts of meat and dairy consumption on human health.
• Saurabh Dalal, a lifelong vegetarian, ethical vegan since 1991, and volunteers as a board member/advisor to numerous vegan-oriented organizations, (including past board member of FARM) in addition to having been an active board member of the Veg Society of DC
• Jane Demarines, Executive Director of SEE, dedicated to advancing causes related to environmental conservation and green community development
• Dr. Lakshman (Lucky) Mulpuri, graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University’s School of Medicine and now a plant-based practitioner

Attendance and the Plant-based Promise:
An estimated 2,500 people attended Planet Bethesda between noon and 6:00 pm. The attendees were vegans, vegetarians, and, more importantly, omnivores who were treated to 100% plant-based foods, talks, and informational booths. During the event, nearly 200 “Plant-Based Promise” signatures were secured, asking individuals to take up to three challenges in the coming months toward plant-based purchases and decisions.

From sponsors and attendees:
Both during the event and afterwards, vendors, attendees, and sponsors all agreed that Planet Bethesda was not only a success but that they would gladly return for a 2023 event.

“On behalf of TD Bank, I would like to thank you for allowing us the opportunity to sponsor yesterday’s Planet Bethesda event! After two years of restricted in-person community engagement due to the pandemic, it was truly a pleasure, as a community bank, to get back out in the community and participate! As a Sponsor, the event was a great opportunity for us from a community exposure and branding standpoint, and in line with our organizational commitments of being a “Green” and Better Bank! Thank you again for the consideration and opportunity of being a part of such a wonderful event!”

Constantine Ferssizidis
Vice President | Capital Team Lead TD Bank

“I wanted to thank [FARM] for putting on a great event yesterday. Everything was great. The crowd and the weather couldn’t have been better. If you will have us again, we will definitely be back.”

Thanks again,
Brian (Owner) from Berries and Bowls

“Thank you! That was an amazing event. Bravo!”

Donna Zeigfinger
Green Earth Travel LLC

“This was one of the best vegan events I have ever attended! Thanks! I hope you do it again.”

Douglas Tipperman, Planet Bethesda attendee

“Planet Bethesda was the most well organized event I have ever participated in.”

Ana Quiroga, One0Eight Wellness

“This event was so well thought out and planned, we would definitely do it again. Thank you so much for the opportunity. It was a tremendous success for our brand.”

Kristen
Georgetown Hill Early School

“Yes, we would love to work this event again next year. Moreover, we were very satisfied with the venue and everything else involved with the planning. We look forward to working with you in the future!”

Dan McKinnon
Clayboy’s Shave Ice

“I was glad to hear that the event was a success and that we were to participate. Please accept this … as a promise to support the event next year.”

Marianne Abreu
Head HOTBIN Development