Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike can smell the veggie-friendly barbecue this weekend at Saturday’s Great American Meatout.

The event, in its fourth year in Lawrence, will feature veggie burgers, veggie hot dogs, barbecued tofu, side dishes, desserts and beverages. The barbecue runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at South Park, near the gazebo. It is a free event, with donations accepted by Animal Outreach of Kansas, which is hosting the barbecue.

“We want to introduce the public to healthy, delicious vegetarian food and faux meats that are available at local grocery stores,” says Ann Wilson of Animal Outreach of Kansas. “We also want to educate the public on the damages caused by meat-based diets to our environment, the animals and our health.”

The Great American Meatout began nationally in 1985 as a way to help consumers “kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains,” according to the event’s official Web site, www.meatout.org. Nearly 2,000 communities in the United States and abroad will hold Meatout events this spring, according to organizers.

Wilson says Animal Outreach of Kansas expect about 300 people to attend the local event, which will also have face painting, music by artist Fran Snyder and booths for Lawrence groups.