The Iowa Bacon Board, organizers of the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, officially announced that the 9th Annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival will return to the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa on February 20, 2016. The 2016 theme and ticket sales date will be announced at Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival’s “Extreme Bacon Bite Challenge” in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 14.
With plans to again take over ALL FOUR LEVELS of Hy-Vee Hall and Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, the one-day event plans to comfortably accommodate up to 14,500 bacon-loving participants and volunteers. Brooks Reynolds, Chair of the Iowa Bacon Board and festival co-founder, explained, “Last year, our fellow bacon-lovers responded with many ‘OHHHH, BACON!’ cheers to the venue’s ability to hold ALL the tasty festivities under one roof, while providing improved access to hotels, parking ramps, buses, and our integrated skywalk system.” Reynolds continued, “The Iowa Events Center not only offers convenience, but the variety of rooms and open spaces allow us to provide a thicker, richer, and tastier bacony experience!”
Seth Hall, Vice President of Bacon Enjoyment, also praised the bacontastic venue, “Bacon fellowship is best experienced when bacon-lovers have the option to both gather in large celebratory groups to participate in a variety of bacon-centric group activities and attractions, while also having the option to explore more intimate environments to discuss the greatness of bacon and hula hoop…if they want.”
When asked about how participants might prepare for 2016’s theme, Seth Hall responded, “Are my jeans fitting a little tight? They’re skinny jeans. And, they might be a little tight. What do you think? A little tight? Seriously, dudes…seriously.”