Seafood fans can try Angry Archie’s Bacon Crab Cake sandwich at the PA bacon Fest.
If you’re a bacon fan, you’re in luck. The PA Bacon Fest will be held Nov. 6-7 in Easton, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Enjoy more than 150 food and drink vendors, 15-plus live musical acts, family friendly activities and cooking demos as you enjoy two days of all-things bacon.
The event, brought to you by The Greater Easton Development Partnership, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. “It’s hard to believe PA Bacon Fest is already in its 10th year!” said Kelly Huth, communications coordinator for the Greater Easton Development Partnership. “This year we’re celebrating by bringing back some of the most popular eats, activities and performers throughout the festival’s run. That famous 50/50 burger from Three Oak Steakhouse, those deep-fried cupcakes from Sweet Girlz and the bacon cannoli from Sette Luna have all earned their own following. They’ll all be available at this year’s festival, plus so many other delicious treats.”
The PA Bacon Fest grew out of a special event hosted by Easton Farmers’ Market. That’s why food vendors who source locally and incorporate organic, all-natural, artisan and pasture-raised products are given top vending priority in their farm-to-table area. This family-friendly event has attracted bacon-loving attendees from beyond the confines of the Lehigh Valley.
Attractions include bacon chef battles, pig racing, hog-calling competitions, mascot dashes, bacon-eating battles, costume contests, kids’ events and of course, bacon. “It offers a chance for neighbors and visitors to celebrate all the delicious food found in Easton,” Huth said. “PA Bacon Fest offers so many delicious bacon dishes, drinks and desserts. The hardest part is deciding what to try first.”
Here are just a few of the weekend’s activities and events:
Bacon & Brew. Sample six craft beers from Weyerbacher Brewing co. paired with six specialty bacons from Breakaway Farms, Huth said. “Bacon & Brew is always a festival highlight,” Huth said. A VIP tasting hour runs from 11 a.m. until noon Saturday and Sunday. Walkups are welcome after noon to 4 p.m. while supplies last.
Sette Luna will bring back the Bacon Cannoli at PA Bacon Fest this year – A crispy house-cured bacon shell, filled with a maple mascarpone and local ricotta cream.
Cheek to Cheek Challenge. On Saturday at 11 a.m., local chefs will compete in this culinary contest showcasing the whole hog. The twist, though, is that the audience will throw darts to determine which piggy parts the chefs use.
Lou’s Concessions Maple Bourbon Funnel Cake
All Shook Up: The Bacon, Banana and Peanut Butter Sandwich Showdown. Nobody loved a good Bacon, Banana and Peanut Butter Sandwich better than The King himself. Don’t miss this Sandwich Showdown with an Elvis impersonator and lots of tunes on Saturday at 2 p.m. Enjoy selfies with Elvis, Elvis Trivia and prizes for the audience including jars of Cape May Peanut Butter Co. peanut butter. Plus, three lucky audience members will be selected to serve as judges.
The Big Ten: 10 Sizzling Bacon-Wrapped Tailgating Snacks. Chef Matthew Feeser of Breakaway Farms and Chef Ada Chandler will show how to score big at your next game day party on Sunday at 11 a.m. Two audience members will serve as sous chefs. The audience will cheer on their favorite team and vote for the best tailgating lineup. Enjoy football trivia and audience giveaways.
Bacon Battle. Three premier Lehigh Valley chefs will display their culinary chops as they vie for the 2021 Baconator title at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Cheer them on as they cook their way through a mystery bag of challenging ingredients from the Easton Farmers’ Market including a pound of pasture-raised bacon from Breakaway Farms. Enjoy culinary trivia and prizes. One audience member will be selected to serve as a guest judge.
The festival is a fundraiser for the Greater Easton Development Partnership. Visitors are asked to make a $2 donation at the entrance gate. Masks are required on all shuttles. See the safety page for more guidelines. For more information, visit https://pabaconfest.com/.