New York's First Capital Region Vegetarian Expo Shines
On Saturday, the 15th of September, the town of Saratoga Springs was hopping with vegetarian energy. And if, as Donald Watson believed, vegetarianism’s logical conclusion is vegan living, then it was the logical place to be.
Veganism was the Alpha and the Omega of speakers’ themes, beginning with Harold Brown’s presentation on the nexus between food and environmentalism, and concluding with Lee Hall’s talk on humanity’s prospects for transcending dominion over the globe’s other conscious beings.
People waited expectantly at the doors for the free festival to open in the morning, and the convention hall remained full all day.
“I personally heard three people say they were committing to vegan living at the conference,” said Lee Hall, Friends of Animals’ legal director.
Derek Goodwin’s Vegan Radio covered the event, which included 79 exhibitors and outstanding vegan catering by the Saratoga Hotel and Four Seasons Natural Foods (the nori rolls and the spinach tofu pie were heaven-sent).
Nine short films were shown, including “The Witness” (Tribe of Heart) and “Diet for a New America” (John Robbins); and seven speakers offered presentations. Choreographing it all were Albany Vegetarian Network members Dave Lajeunesse, Jan Lajeunesse, Jim Lacelle, Dawn D’Arcangelo, Olga Dovgel, Richard Hamlin, Kristin Lajeunesse, and no less than 49 volunteers.
The Friends of Animals table was co-ordinated by Nancy Rice (in a “Veganism Is Direct Action” t-shirt) and Edita Birnkrant (wearing the message “Spare an Animal: Eat a Vegetable”).
The Expo was the first in the Capital Region to blend and encourage the health benefits of green, sustainable living, environmental awareness, and respect for nonhuman animals. This event will be quite an act to follow.
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