Planet Bethesda returns to Elm Street Urban Park on Sunday with a new name – Planet Maryland—and a familiar plant-based and sustainability-centered focus.
The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 4600 Elm St. in Bethesda and feature an array of vegan and vegetarian food vendors, activities for families, and a display of the latest electric vehicles on the market–including a Tesla Cybertruck–and other sustainable businesses based in Maryland.
Bethesda-based nonprofit Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) is sponsoring the festival along with Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Climate Diet, a national nonprofit focused on creating awareness, outreach and education on the impacts of animal agriculture on the environment.
The first-ever Planet Bethesda festival was held in 2022 and attracted more than 2,500 visitors in the area. Organizers hoped the festival would raise awareness around a plant-based lifestyle and aimed to sign up omnivores to pledge not to eat meat at least one day a week.
The event’s name change stemmed from a growing interest from government agencies and people in other states looking to bring the festival to their area, Lisa DeCrescente, director of special projects and events at FARM, told MoCo360 on Tuesday. This year, the festival expanded to Virginia, Delaware and the District.
“The whole thing was born in Bethesda,” DeCrescente said. “We went from one event in 2022. Now we’re in 2024 and we have four events and it’s growing.”
One main goal of the festival is to provide resources and information to people interested in or considering a plant-based lifestyle, DeCrescente said.
“We educate the ignorant and we give them an opportunity to make the choice by providing them the resources and support that they’re looking for. This is a one-stop shop,” she said. “You come to the festival, you have a great time, you hang out with your friends … eat amazing food, great beverages, you get entertained and listen to music. You buy some cool stuff for your house, and you walk away smarter.”
Another goal is changing opinions about plant-based food. DeCrescente said there are misconceptions about veganism, with some people thinking it “equals depravity and sacrifice.”
“Come to the festival. Taste the food. I dare you to tell the difference between what you would get in an omnivore restaurant as opposed to what you’re getting at our festival,” she said.
Planet Maryland will also include several speakers on the main stage, including U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Dist. 8) of Takoma Park and Jonah Goldman, the co-founder and director of marketing at PLNT Burger–a plant-based burger joint born out of Bethesda.
More than 60 local organizations, including those representing vegan and sustainable food, crafts and home décor businesses, will have booths around the park. MoCo360 is a sponsor of the event.
PetConnect Rescue, a Potomac-based animal rescue organization, is expected to bring adoptable dogs and Virginia-based Peaceful Fields Sanctuary will have farm animals for guests to meet and learn about.
Other activities will include making bath bombs sponsored by British cosmetics company Lush, face painting and fairy hair sparkle extensions, a kids’ activity corner and giveaways.
Those attending can also lounge in a beer garden, sip kombucha mocktails at the Planet Bar, listen to DJ Soul or watch an interactive science show by Eric Energy.