Join us for 300 Vegans 4 Independence on the 4th of July @ the Doo Dah Parade

The 7th annual Vegan Shift (https://www.facebook.com/veganshift/) 300 Vegans 4 Independence (https://www.facebook.com/groups/300VegansOhio/) in collaboration with the Columbus Vegan Meetup in the Columbus Doo Dah Parade is on the 4th of July (rain or shine the show goes on) every year!

Since our official 300 Vegans campaign launch in 2012, we have consecutively been the LARGEST group of Doo Dah Parade participants to represent a group in the parade. We always get exciting reactions from parade spectators- anything from the "BACON" or "I love meat" heckling chanters (to which we hold up a vegan peace sign and chant "VEGAN!" back at them, or respond in kind with "SO DO I! Have you tried PLANT MEAT???") to other vegan people joining our ranks, because they're excited to see their people in the parade!

We know that large groups with a message get into people's minds, and we love providing a friendly, invitational energy from our community and a peaceful, alternative shift on a favorite tradition foundationally celebrated with the BBQ. So start a new tradition for your family by joining us for this culturally formative and fun-filled event. We would love to turn the street party at the end of the parade into a mini vegan fest area at Goodale Park.

Wear your BLACK Nonviolence United VEGAN Shirt and join us for our fun, friendly community invitational event! Shirts will be available to be purchased the day of the event for $25 (fundraising) (or can be ordered online in advance (last day to order online to be mailed is June 28th) at https://veganshift.org/product/nonviolence-united-vegan-shirt-black/) worst case scenario, you can wear a straight black T-shirt (inside out if you have to) and we will provide VEGAN stickers if you don't want to purchase a shirt. We just want YOU there representing VEGANS!

*****The Doo Dah Parade says that the show will go on regardless of the weather, and as inconvenient as it is to have it literally "rain on our parade", dedication to moving our critical message trumps wimping out over crummy weather IMHO (If animals must endure the horrors they do, I can get wet to wake more people up to shift that ghoulish inheritance to build a better world). However, should we be in jeopardy of dangerous thunderstorms, personal safety is another matter we take very seriously. Plan to come as long as there is just a rainy forecast. Bring towels, plastic bags to protect your electronics and other valuables, and if you can find them, clear plastic rain ponchos (I hear Dollar Tree might have them) *****

This is a potluck style BBQ event so bring your favorite vegan BBQ foods and show your friends and family a new way to celebrate this holiday with food consistent with our values!

Menu:
Vegan Burgers (VeganShift)
BBQ and Buffalo Chick'in drumsticks (Lee Ng)
Potato salad (VeganShift)
Baked Beans (Vegan Shift)
Garlic Bread (Vegan Shift)
Fresh Fruit (Brooke Turner)
Eggless salad (Cindy Rodriguez)
NoTuna Salad (Portia's)
Vegetable Biriyani (Banana Leaf)
Chips and Salsa
Snow Cones (Noah Hossler)
Please bring your favorite vegan dessert or other party dish or drink to share- suggested items:
Lemonade
Ice Tea
Water
ICE - it is going to be a HOT one!

Here are some great holiday recipe ideas if you can't make it to our event: http://www.onegreenplanet.org/tag/vegan-fourth-of-july-recipes *****

Interested in VOLUNTEERING? We welcome your ideas and participation in the activity planning etc. for the event.

Format:

10:30-12 Register, pick up shirt, snack on vegan eats and socialize
12:00-12:30 Group photos
100:-2:30 Walk in the Parade
2:30-??? Post-Doo-Dah Parade Street Party in the Short North with Tofu Louie