It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Nope, it’s not Christmas yet – it’s even better: next weekend is the annual Bacon Festival. That’s right, a festival entirely dedicated to bacon. I’m talking the usual Farmers’ Market plus 4 other streets closed down and full of vendors selling bacon themed fare.
This is not a drill, people. On November 7th and 8th from 9 AM- 4 PM, our humble city becomes an oasis of bacon. You can even smell the deliciousness up here on the hill so if that’s not motivation to get your butt down to Center Square I don’t know what is.
Need more convincing? Here are the top 6 reasons why the Bacon Fest is the best weekend of the year for Lafayette students.
1. Chocolate covered bacon
Photo by Kelly Redfield
Chocolate covered bacon is definitely a can’t miss item at the bacon fest. It’s the perfect mix of salty and sweet and an interesting texture to boot.
There’s a whole world of unusual chocolate covered foods out there just waiting for you.
2. You can buy bacon themed gifts
Photo courtesy of fest300.com
The festival doesn’t only involve actual bacon. It also features bacon themed clothing and art for purchase so you can show the world how much you love bacon even after the festival is over. Don’t be surprised if you see multiple people dressed in full on bacon costumes- it’s all in the spirit of the Fest.
3. There’s a pig roast competition
Photo courtesy of PA Bacon Fest Facebook page
Two local chefs battle it out in this competition of the century. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried meat directly from a pig roast. It’s tender and cooked to perfection. And don’t get me started on the smell – it’s heavenly. Also a pig roast is a unique opportunity because it’s something that is typically too dangerous to try at home.
4. There’s a wide variety of other foods
Photo courtesy of PA Bacon Fest Facebook Page
Chocolate covered bacon and roast pig are not the only two foods you can find at the Bacon Fest- not by a long shot. There is a wide variety of savory and sweet bacon infused foods from a ton of different vendors. You can get anything from bacon cupcakes to bacon mac and cheese to bacon shrimp to just plain bacon.
The opportunities are endless so come hungry.
5. State of The Bacon
Photo courtesy of PA Bacon Fest Facebook page
State of the Bacon is an after party of sorts that you do not want to miss. It’s a beer, wine and bacon tasting. Learning how to pair wine with bacon? Yes, please.
Throughout the festival there are many other demos, tastings and competitions including a Chopped- style battle between 4 local chefs, an ice cream tasting and a home-brewing bacon beer competition. Trust me, this is not a boring festival.
6. There is an emphasis on sustainability
Photo courtesy of PA Bacon Fest Facebook Page
The festival makes its goal “promoting local, sustainable farms, farm-to-table food, restaurants, and purveyors.” They give top priority to vendors who source local farms or use pasture raised bacon. Eating local has never been so easy and delicious.
See ya at the Fest.