Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival

New Event Celebrates Iowa’s Love Affair With Bacon on National Pig Day
Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival to include lecture, showcase and samples galore

January 22, 2008 (Des Moines, IA) – What started as one man’s passion for “all things bacon” has evolved to an entire event dedicated to the salty indulgence. Brooks Reynolds of Des Moines approached Full Court Press and In Any Event in the summer of 2007 with the idea and the festival was born: a day dedicated to nothing but Bacon – the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival. Reynolds recruited fellow bacon lovers and the group formed the Iowa Bacon Board of Directors. Informal meetings of the group have been held for years with weekend retreats at Spirit Lake where each bacon fanatic would bring at least two pounds of bacon for consumption over a two-day period.

“Most people feel they should be ashamed of their affinity for bacon.” Reynolds said. “We are encouraging individuals to embrace their inner bacon-lover and celebrate this product which is largely produced right here in Iowa.” He added. “We have world-class pork producers from around the state who finally have a forum dedicated solely to bacon.”

The first annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival will be held on Saturday, March 1 @ the High Life Lounge and el Bait Shop – 200 SW 2nd – Downtown Des Moines from 10am – 4pm. Cost for the event is $30 and space is limited to 120 bacon fans. Entry fee includes a commemorative t-shirt, bacon bracelet, a menu of 7 bacon items, unlimited samples at the Bacon Showcase, a seat in the Bacon 101 lecture and your first drink. $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon draws will be available until 5 p.m.

March 1st is also National Pig Day, which was started by Texas art teacher Ellen Stanley in 1972 to honor and give thanks to “our most intelligent domesticated creature.”

Schedule of Events
10 am – Doors Open with Blazing Bacon Bloody Marys, Bacon Egg & Cheese biscuits, and 1st round of Bacon Tasting

11 am – All About Bacon Lecture by Leo Landis (Leo will have multiple bacon samples during the lecture)

12 pm – 2 pm – Bacon Showcase and 2nd Round of Bacon Tasting

1 pm – Lunch is served including Shrimp LaGrange, Armadillo Eggs (jalapeno, hot pepper cheese & chicken breast wrapped in bacon) Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders, Rumaki, Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots and Candied Bacon.

2 pm – That boy is a P. I. G. Bacon Eating Contest (open to men and women) and 4th round of Bacon Tasting

3 pm – Final Round of Bacon Tasting

Facts
What – First Annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival

When – Saturday, March 1 – 10am – 4pm

Where – el Bait Shop & High Life Lounge – 200 SW 2nd Street – Downtown

Cost – $30. Entry includes a commemorative t-shirt, bacon bracelet, a menu of 7 bacon items, unlimited samples at the Bacon Showcase, a seat in the Bacon 101 lecture and your first drink.

Registration – Space is limited to 120 participants and registration will be available on-site at el Bait Shop beginning February 15th.

Sponsors for the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival include: Farmland, Full Court Press, Hormel, In Any Event, John Morrell, Pabst Blue Ribbon & Reynolds & Reynolds.

The Bacon Board of Directors is comprised of the following individuals: Jeff Bruning, Seth Hall, Melissa Hoover, Caressa McCurnin, Marshall Porter, John Tiffany, Kevin Tiffany, Mindy Toyne and Brooks Reynolds.