The numbers are in, and the Charlottesville VegFest, a celebration of all things vegan, drew in roughly 1,000 more people this year than last. Roughly 3,000 attended this year.

Organizers said a combination of good food and entertainment — and some savvy marketing — brought in newer, younger faces to the Sept. 14 festival at Ix Art Park in downtown Charlottesville.

“I think we really refreshed the marketing & the look of Cville Vegfest this year, as well as putting a focus on free music, entertainment and fun, so it really brought out people wanting to have a good time,” Lance Zimmerly, social media manager at plant-based restaurant Botanical Fare and one of the festival's organizer, told The Daily Progress in an email.

The numbers are impressive for a festival only in its second year.

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