Vegetarian Summerfest coming to Johnstown

The annual North American Vegetarian Society's Summerfest will be returning to Johntown next month.

There will be more than 60 speakers. Topics include health, animal rights, the environment and physical fitness. There will be classes, lectures, workshops, discussions, films and entertainment. The event is family friendly, as there are special events for children and young adults.

The meals are all vegan (no animal products of any kind). There are also gluten free and raw options.

Local speakers include Karen Phillips, Jeffrey Cohan, Sally Lipsky, Leila Sleiman and Natalie Fristick.

Phillips, a veterinary surgeon, is the founder and owner of Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary, located in Franklin Park. Cohan is executive director of Jewish Veg, writer of The Beet-Eating Heeb, a blog on theology-based veganism. Lipsky recently published “Beyond Cancer: The Powerful Effect of Plant-Based Eating.” Sleiman and Fristick created Pittsburgh's VegFest, an annual event held on the city's North Side.