The Rehoboth Beach VegFest, set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 14, at Epworth United Methodist Church near Rehoboth Beach, puts a special focus on healthy and fun activities for young children. There will be a Kids' Tent at the free festival and an array of kid-friendly projects, all to encourage children to eat more vegetables and be as kind as they can.

Lewes-based Katie Freer of Sprouting Chefs will present one of her popular hands-on kids preparing veggies demos, teaching kids about using various vegetables, trying new tastes, and discovering how good they are.

Browseabout Books will present a storytime with readings from children's books on kindness to animals and compassionate food choices.

Dimitra Yoga will present a children's yoga session at the Kids' Tent. No experience is necessary - children will learn several basic poses to introduce them to the fundamental feelings and benefits of yoga.

A special highlight this year is the inclusion of two participatory art projects: Planting Compassion and The Smile That Changed the World (Is Yours). The works are the creation of international award-winning vegan author, activist, and visual artist John Schlimm, who will also be the emcee at Rehoboth VegFest 2014. Both art pieces will be on site at the festival, where kids of all ages can enjoy adding their own personal input to these unusual works to encourage compassion.

"As a mother of an active 6-year-old boy, I'm thrilled to see such a great lineup of things to interest young children at VegFest this year," said Tara Sheldon, vice president of VegRehoboth and co-organizer of Rehoboth VegFest. "Getting kids started on a path of healthy, humane living is such an important goal for so many parents - and this makes it all fun!"

VegFest organizers extended special thanks to those who are leading the youth activities, to participants, and to event sponsors Jenn Harpel, Morgan Stanley; CAMP Rehoboth; Hobos; and VegFund.

Kids' activities start at 11:30 a.m. and last all day.  Sheldon said, "Be sure to mark your calendars and bring the kids - Rehoboth VegFest 2014 has something for everyone!" Find out more at www.rehobothvegfest.org.