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The 5th Annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival - Baconpocalypse Now: I love the smell of bacon in the morning! - Presented by Iowa Select Farms

Saturday, February 18, 2012 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CT)

Des Moines, United States

The 5th Annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival - Baconpocalypse...

Ticket Information

Ticket Type Sales End Price Fee Quantity
Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival - General Admission
Access to the nation's premier bacon festival on Saturday, February 18th and all the bacon apocalypse preparedness that comes with it.
Ended $45.00 $0.00
Table of Ten @ the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival
Guaranteed seat at an event that has historically sold out in under 30 minutes, special event hat, and access to the nation's premier bacon festival on Saturday, February 18th and all the bacon apocalypse preparedness that comes with it. You will be emailed ALL 10 tickets a week before the event. As the Table Captain you are responsible for delivering these tickets to your guests.
Ended $625.00 $0.00
Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival - General Admission PLUS ticket to Bacon Elegance Dinner on 02/13/2012
Access to the nation's premier bacon festival on Saturday, February 18th and all the bacon apocalypse preparedness that comes with it. PLUS access to the 4 course bacon fusion experience at Capital Square on Monday of Bacon Week (02/13/2012) starting at 6:30pm with cocktails at Big City Burgers & Greens (aka DSM Catering). Menu: 1st: Bacon wrapped monkfish with roasted tomato-pernod cream. 2nd: Spinach salad with spiced extra thick roasted bacon, candied walnuts, maytag blue cheese, hot bacon dressing and a poached egg. 3rd: Templeton Rye smoked bacon wrapped pork loin with sundried tomato-pork belly sausage, bacon and butternut squash risotto, and caramelized shallot jus. 4th: Root beer float with candied bacon coffee ice cream, chocolate straw, and candied bacon "spoon".
Ended $135.00 $0.00
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Event Details

Consumption –Last year attendees consumed 1,200 lbs of bacon which is approximately 30,000 strips.  If laid end to end it would reach the height of Empire State Building, 12 times over!

Competition– Manni Balignasay is the 4-time Blue Ribbon Bacon Eating Champion in 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011!

Bacon Showcase– The popular Bacon Showcase provides individuals with the opportunity to sample some of the nation’s best bacon brands and talk directly to brand reps.  In previous years the following bacon brands have been showcased:  Eden Farms, Falls Brand, Farmland, Hormel, Iowa Farm Families, Niman Ranch, Polehnas, Vande Rose Farms and more.

Bacon Menu – A number of local restaurants will be preparing bacon inspired dishes that will unleash the bacon animal inside everyone!

Bacon Lecture Series – The Bacon Lecture Series brings together some of the most brilliant bacon minds providing festival attendees with the opportunity to challenge their bacon knowledge and beliefs.  Past lecturers include: Leo Landis, The Bacon Professor, Scott Bush, Templeton Rye Whiskey, Nick Proctor, Zombie Apocalypse Aficianado.

Iowa Bacon Board – Members of this highly esteemed board include: Kit Curran, Seth Hall, Mark Pederson, Marshall Porter, John Tiffany and Brooks Reynolds.

Our Mascot– A furry pig named, Blue, is the official mascot of the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival.

When & Where


3000 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, 50317

Saturday, February 18, 2012 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CT)


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Hosted By

Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival



What started as a groups’ passion for “all things bacon” has evolved into America’s premier bacon festival. In 2001, a group of guys began celebrating bacon during an annual weekend retreat in Spirit Lake, IA. Six years later, they pursued a deeper understanding of their favorite meat by earning “All About Bacon” diplomas from Living History Farms. On March 1st, 2008, officially organized under the Iowa Bacon Board and led by Brooks Reynolds, they went on to found a festival: a festival with the mission of improving the enjoyment of all things bacon by providing education, recognition, advocacy and research on behalf of the masses, everyone, everywhere, all of them. They are serious. Seriously, dudes. Seriously.

OHHHH, BACON!