Tomorrow is World Vegan Day, for some of you around the globe, it is today already.   So what?  Why should you care?   Well, it's certainly not as well-known or celebrated as Halloween is.  But it is a chance to get out and meet with other vegans, to sample vegan fare, to stand up for animal rights, or simply to get our stories out there.

WorldVeganDay.info is asking us all to do just that, to get our stories out there.  To blog, twitter, YouTube, FaceBook, MySpace, or visit forums and get the word out.  Why did you go vegan?  Tell your story, who knows, you may inspire others.

Below is a partial list of activities around the globe.  If you don't see anything in your neck of the woods, check out google, facebook, craigslist, or your local colleges.  The information is scattered, but it is out there.  As for Jane and me, we're going to be making dinner for a few friends who aren't vegan.   Activism through eating.

• If you're in Melbourne, AUS, here's some info on your World Vegan Day celebration.
• If you're in Wellington, New Zealand, here's info on a World Vegan Day Bake Sale.
• If you're in England, near  Croydon, here's some info on your World Vegan Day celebration.  They're saying you should be there, or be without vegan cake and beer.  (Damn, wrong continent!)
• If you're in England, near Ennis Killen and are interested in practicing some yoga, followed by a meal of home cooked vegan fare... visit here.
• If you're in Glasglow, the Univerity of Glasgow is hosting an Animal Lovers Fayre in honor of World Vegan Day.
• If you're in Paris, you should check out  Paris Vegan Day.  I can't tell you exactly what they have planned, but dusting off my High School french, I believe there will be  vegan product representation and vegan food availabe.
• If you're in Montreal, they've got a World Vegan Day Fashion Show planned.  It's billed as an  evening of fashion, gourmet vegan cuisine and musical entertainment.
• If you're in India, the Sthitaprajna Vegan Life Centre near Byndoor, Udupi District, Karnataka, is planning a three-day vegan event (Nov 1 - Nov 3).
• If you're in San Francisco, there's a World Vegan Celebration dinner on Monday night.  Just $15 including tax and tip.  Details here.
• If you're in the Los Angeles area, VegKids is sponsoring a rollerskating event in NorthRidge
• Please note, if you're in the Los Angeles area and were planning on attending the Animal Acres World Vegan Day celebration, IT HAS BEEN CANCELED.
• If you're in Phoenix, AZ, the  Spectrum Mall light rail station is hosting a potluck of vegan goodies.

This year the Animal Rights National Conference will be held right here in Los Angeles.   (It was in Alexandria, VA last year.)  The conference runs July 16 - 20, 2009 and will be held at the Westin LAX Hotel: 5400 West Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Here is what you can expect:

• 100 sessions, including keynote plenaries, workshops, raps/discussions & reports
• 90 speakers representing 60 animal protection groups in seven countries
• 90 free exhibits with compassionate shopping & social justice organizations
• Sessions on personal skills development, activism, organizing & outreach
• Eyewitness report on the Sea Shepherd whale wars and CA Prop 2 campaign
• Presentations & networking with leaders of other social justice movements
• Celebrity, Activist, and Campaign Awards at Saturday Banquet
• 80 videos including premieres
• Networking Receptions
• Delicious vegan cuisine

The conference itself is not cheap, $160 for the full session, or $65 for one day. They do offer low income discounts. But if you don't qualify for one of those, there is still a reason to drop by if you can. From the Animal Rights National Conference website:

Visitors are encouraged to drop by Friday, Saturday and Sunday (9am-6pm) to enjoy our 90+ free exhibits, including compassionate shopping, delicious snacks & desserts, and amazing social justice organizations. One free session is also included, so bring your friends, stay for a meal, and make a day out of it!

If you are in the area and can swing by, this is defiitely a worthwhile event.  Don't forget to pass this info along to any of your friends or family who may be interested in the topic.

Just a reminder, the World Wide Vegan Bake Sale is underway...  The dates of the sale are June 20 - 28th.  To see what events are occuring in your area, click here.  And when they say worldwide, they mean worldwide.  There are sales scheduled for Australian, New Zealand, Canada, England,  Greece, and Nigeria!  (As well as the United States.) We've had our heads down a bit, so sorry for the last minute notification. Hopefully you'll be able to attend if there's an event in your neighborhood.

If you live in Los Angeles, there are two events scheduled (there was one yesterday too).

Bake Sale #1
Date: Thursday June 25, 2009
Time: 10am – 2pm
Venue:  Los Angeles City Hall Farmers Market
Address: 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
The market is located on the south lawn on First Street between Main and Spring Streets.

Proceeds:  Los Angeles Conservation Corps, and part of the city's Los Angeles River Revitalization

Bake Sale #2
Dates: Sunday June 28, 2009 (There was also a sale here on 6/21)
Time: 11am – ?pm
Venue:  Locali
Address: Hollywood, 5825 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 466-1360

Web Site: Bake Me Up! LA

Proceeds:  Animal Acres, Earthlings, and Little Big Dog Rescue

If you have the time, and can get to one of these events, you should consider heading out and supporting the effort to show the world how sweet it is to be vegan.

If you live in the Los Angeles area and you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, you may want to consider heading over to Santa Monica on Saturday, May 9th.  The Santa Monica Festival: Revel With A Cause will be held from 11am - 6 pm on 5/9/9 at Clover Park.   Although the festival isn't vegan, they're serving meat, there will be plenty of other eco-friendly activities and attractions.

If you are interested, here is a link to the Revel With A Cause site.  It doesn't look like they're promoting a vegan/vegetarian agenda (why doesn't the green movement get on this bandwagon yet?!?!), so there may be an opportunity for some vegans to start a discussion.  If not, there's always the Los Angeles Vegan Bake Sale (more details coming).