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The '''Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival''' is an annual event which since 2008 has taken place in [[Des Moines, Iowa]] on the weekend closest to [[National Pig Day]], March 1st. Founded in 2008, the annual event has nearly doubled in size every year since inception. The events include a bacon eating competition, educational lectures and many free samples of bacon. The festival has since been taken on tour by two of the entertainers.
The '''Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival''' is an annual event which since 2008 has taken place in [[Des Moines, Iowa]] on the weekend closest to [[National Pig Day]], March 1st. Founded in 2008, the annual event has nearly doubled in size every year since inception. The events include a bacon eating competition, educational lectures and many free samples of bacon. The festival has since been taken on tour by three of the entertainers.


==Foundation==
==Foundation==
The festival was co-founded by Brooks Reynolds who, with his group of friends, has a "passion for all things bacon".<ref>{{cite news|title=National Pig Day|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1561771/national-pig-day|accessdate=31 January 2011|newspaper=Fastcompany|date=1 March 2010}}</ref> After receiving dimplomas "All About Bacon" from [[Living History Farms]] they went on to create the festival on [[National Pig Day]], 1 March 2008. The festival goes receive a free t-shirt, bacon samples, educational lectures on bacon, a bacon-eating contest and other live entertainment.<ref name="lovers"/> The festival mascot is a large furry pig, named Blue.<ref name="baconblog">{{cite web|title=Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival Blog|url=http://www.blueribbonbaconfestival.com/blog/|publisher=www.blueribbonbaconfestival.com|accessdate=31 January 2011}}</ref> They also provide advice in cooking bacon.<ref>{{cite book|last=Day|first=Jason|title=BBQ Makes Everything Better|year=2010|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=143916830X|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=x1f94LvsI-UC&pg=PT54&dq=%22blue+ribbon+bacon+festival%22&hl=en&ei=HT9BTdqWBoyEhQeGj5XZAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22blue%20ribbon%20bacon%20festival%22&f=false}}</ref>
The festival was co-founded by Brooks Reynolds who, with his group of friends, has a "passion for all things bacon".<ref>{{cite news|title=National Pig Day|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1561771/national-pig-day|accessdate=31 January 2011|newspaper=Fastcompany|date=1 March 2010}}</ref> After receiving diplomas "All About Bacon" from [[Living History Farms]] they went on to create the festival on [[National Pig Day]], 1 March 2008. The festival goers receive a free T-shirt, koozie, and bacon samples. The festival also features educational lectures on bacon, a bacon-eating contest and other live entertainment.<ref name="lovers"/> The festival mascot is a large furry pig, named Blue.<ref name="baconblog">{{cite web|title=Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival Blog|url=http://www.blueribbonbaconfestival.com/blog/|publisher=www.blueribbonbaconfestival.com|accessdate=31 January 2011}}</ref> They also provide advice in cooking bacon.<ref>{{cite book|last=Day|first=Jason|title=BBQ Makes Everything Better|year=2010|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=143916830X|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=x1f94LvsI-UC&pg=PT54&dq=%22blue+ribbon+bacon+festival%22&hl=en&ei=HT9BTdqWBoyEhQeGj5XZAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22blue%20ribbon%20bacon%20festival%22&f=false}}</ref>


==Popularity==
==Popularity==
Originally hosted in [[El Bait Shop]] and [[High Life Lounge]] in 2008 for 200 people, the tickets had been promised before they went on sale. In 2009, the shop had expanded to allow 300 people, with tickets selling out within 5 days. In 2010, the festival moved to [[Scottish Rite Consistory Building]], allowing 600 people - the tickets sold out in 30 minutes. During the festival that year, {{convert|1200|lb}} of bacon were eaten - equivalent of 30,000 strips or 50 strips per person.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ahmad|first=Sophia|title=Tickets for 2011 Blue Ribbon Bacon Fest on sale Jan. 21|url=http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2011/01/13/tickets-for-2011-blue-ribbon-bacon-fest-on-sale-jan-21/|accessdate=31 January 2011|newspaper=[[Des Moines Register]]|date=13 January 2011}}</ref> The 1,500 tickets to 2011 Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival sold out in 4 minutes, though some tickets were not available to the public and others reappeared 30 minutes later.<ref name="lovers">{{cite news|title=Bacon lovers snap up 1,300 festival tickets|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011101220326|accessdate=31 January 2011|newspaper=[[Des Moines Register]]|date=22 January 2011}}</ref>
Originally hosted in [[El Bait Shop]] and [[High Life Lounge]] in 2008 for 200 people, the tickets had been promised before they went on sale. In 2009, the event had expanded to allow 300 people, with tickets selling out within 5 days. In 2010, the festival moved to [[Scottish Rite Consistory Building]], allowing 800 people - the tickets sold out in 30 minutes. During the festival that year, {{convert|1200|lb}} of bacon were eaten - equivalent of 30,000 strips or 50 strips per person.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ahmad|first=Sophia|title=Tickets for 2011 Blue Ribbon Bacon Fest on sale Jan. 21|url=http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2011/01/13/tickets-for-2011-blue-ribbon-bacon-fest-on-sale-jan-21/|accessdate=31 January 2011|newspaper=[[Des Moines Register]]|date=13 January 2011}}</ref> The 1,500 tickets to 2011 Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival sold out in 4 minutes, though some tickets were not available to the public and others reappeared 30 minutes later.<ref name="lovers">{{cite news|title=Bacon lovers snap up 1,300 festival tickets|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011101220326|accessdate=31 January 2011|newspaper=[[Des Moines Register]]|date=22 January 2011}}</ref>


==Tour==
==Tour==
The success of the festival has inspired some of the entertainers to start the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour. One blogger, [[Heather Lauer]], who regularly appears in the tour has gone on to write a book [[Bacon: A Love Story]] which is described as a "study on bacon as a topic".<ref>{{cite news|last=McClellan|first=Jennifer|title=Bacon blogger takes obssession on sizzling tour|url=http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/stage/articles/2009/06/02/20090602gl-baconauthor0603.html|accessdate=31 January 2011|newspaper=[[The Arizona Republic]]|date=2 June 2009}}</ref> The tour includes many of the same events as the festival, including the bacon eating contest and free samples.<ref>{{cite news|last=Batz Jr.|first=Bob|title=Bacon tour your chance to pig out|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09267/1000308-34.stm|accessdate=31 January 2011|newspaper=[[Pittsburg Post Gazette]]|date=24 September 2009}}</ref>
The success of the festival has inspired some of the entertainers to start the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour. One blogger, [[Heather Lauer]], who regularly appears in the tour has gone on to write a book [[Bacon: A Love Story]] which is described as a "study on bacon as a topic".<ref>{{cite news|last=McClellan|first=Jennifer|title=Bacon blogger takes obsession on sizzling tour|url=http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/stage/articles/2009/06/02/20090602gl-baconauthor0603.html|accessdate=31 January 2011|newspaper=[[The Arizona Republic]]|date=2 June 2009}}</ref> The tour includes many of the same events as the festival, including the bacon eating contest and free samples.<ref>{{cite news|last=Batz Jr.|first=Bob|title=Bacon tour your chance to pig out|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09267/1000308-34.stm|accessdate=31 January 2011|newspaper=[[Pittsburg Post Gazette]]|date=24 September 2009}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External Links==
==External links==
*[http://desmoines.metromix.com/events/photogallery/baconfest/993550/content Photo Gallery of 2009 festival]
*[http://desmoines.metromix.com/events/photogallery/baconfest/993550/content Photo Gallery of 2009 festival]
*[http://desmoines.metromix.com/events/world_now_video/video-blue-ribbon-bacon/1789438/content Video highlights of 2010 festival]
*[http://desmoines.metromix.com/events/world_now_video/video-blue-ribbon-bacon/1789438/content Video highlights of 2010 festival]


{{Bacon}}
{{Bacon}}

{{coord missing|Iowa}}

[[Category:Bacon]]
[[Category:Bacon]]
[[Category:Annual events in the United States]]
[[Category:Food festivals in the United States]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Des Moines, Iowa]]
[[Category:Festivals in Iowa]]

Revision as of 21:40, 5 May 2011

Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival
GenreBacon
Date(s)Saturday nearest 1 March
Begins10am
Ends4pm
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)Des Moines, Iowa
Years active17
Websitewww.blueribbonbaconfestival.com

The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival is an annual event which since 2008 has taken place in Des Moines, Iowa on the weekend closest to National Pig Day, March 1st. Founded in 2008, the annual event has nearly doubled in size every year since inception. The events include a bacon eating competition, educational lectures and many free samples of bacon. The festival has since been taken on tour by three of the entertainers.

Foundation

The festival was co-founded by Brooks Reynolds who, with his group of friends, has a "passion for all things bacon".[1] After receiving diplomas "All About Bacon" from Living History Farms they went on to create the festival on National Pig Day, 1 March 2008. The festival goers receive a free T-shirt, koozie, and bacon samples. The festival also features educational lectures on bacon, a bacon-eating contest and other live entertainment.[2] The festival mascot is a large furry pig, named Blue.[3] They also provide advice in cooking bacon.[4]

Popularity

Originally hosted in El Bait Shop and High Life Lounge in 2008 for 200 people, the tickets had been promised before they went on sale. In 2009, the event had expanded to allow 300 people, with tickets selling out within 5 days. In 2010, the festival moved to Scottish Rite Consistory Building, allowing 800 people - the tickets sold out in 30 minutes. During the festival that year, 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of bacon were eaten - equivalent of 30,000 strips or 50 strips per person.[5] The 1,500 tickets to 2011 Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival sold out in 4 minutes, though some tickets were not available to the public and others reappeared 30 minutes later.[2]

Tour

The success of the festival has inspired some of the entertainers to start the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour. One blogger, Heather Lauer, who regularly appears in the tour has gone on to write a book Bacon: A Love Story which is described as a "study on bacon as a topic".[6] The tour includes many of the same events as the festival, including the bacon eating contest and free samples.[7]

References

  1. ^ "National Pig Day". Fastcompany. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Bacon lovers snap up 1,300 festival tickets". Des Moines Register. 22 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  3. ^ "Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival Blog". www.blueribbonbaconfestival.com. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  4. ^ Day, Jason (2010). BBQ Makes Everything Better. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 143916830X.
  5. ^ Ahmad, Sophia (13 January 2011). "Tickets for 2011 Blue Ribbon Bacon Fest on sale Jan. 21". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  6. ^ McClellan, Jennifer (2 June 2009). "Bacon blogger takes obsession on sizzling tour". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  7. ^ Batz Jr., Bob (24 September 2009). "Bacon tour your chance to pig out". Pittsburg Post Gazette. Retrieved 31 January 2011.

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