The 19th annual Great American Meatout will be observed Thursday across United States.

The goal of the event is to educate people about the benefits of vegetarianism and urge them to adopt a wholesome, nonviolent plant-based diet for a day.

Animal Outreach of Kansas, a Lawrence-based animal welfare group, will participate in the Meatout by offering a concert and free vegetarian food from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at the South Park Gazebo, Massachusetts and 11th streets.

The band Uncle Dirty Toes will play from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and vegetarian fare will be served as long as supplies last. Donations are welcome.

On the menu are: Tofu Pups (tofu hot dogs), vegan burgers, smoked barbecued tofu and vegan cheesecakes. The cheesecakes will be provided by Purviz Birdie, Lawrence.

There will be books and videos for sale about factory farming and health issues linked to the consumption of meat, as well as educational literature.

For more information about the Great American Meatout, click on www.meatout.org, or call (800) 632-8688. The Web site for Animal Outreach of Kansas is www.animaloutreach-ks.org.