UPDATE: Because of storm damage at Bryan Park, the Richmond Vegetarian Festival has been moved to Saturday July 9.

I’ve lived long enough to remember when no one was a vegetarian. The idea that someone would forsake meat in their diet was not only preposterous, it was downright unpatriotic. A growing number of people have stopped eating food with a face for a litany of health and environmental reasons. And they celebrate the lifestyle Saturday, June 25, when the Richmond Vegetarian Festival takes over Bryan Park for a day of food, education and entertainment. All types of ingestibles will be available for guilt-free consumption from 40 Richmond food destinations, including Ellwood Thompson’s Natural Market, 821 Café, India K’Raja and Goatocado. There will be cooking demonstrations, speakers, activities, local nonprofit showcases and performances from Capital City melody-makers Psychic Idols, Mongrels, Lobo Marino, Yankee Røses and Unmaker. The free, family-friendly festival runs noon-6 p.m. Call 756-0536 or visit veggiefest.org.