The fourth annual Baconfest is right around the corner in Monmouth and the ever growing pork-themed bash is looking for eateries to join the fun.
Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce Director Amy Patterson says they are urging Galesburg vendors to get in on the action this year.
Vendors are encouraged to come up with creative new uses for the beloved bacon including: bacon candy, bacon cupcakes, bacon wrapped shrimp, bacon hot dogs, bacon on cheese bread, and bacon egg rolls.
She says Smithfield donates the bacon used which has been about a half-ton every year, but they need to have entries in by Aug. 1 to let the food manufacturer know how much meat is needed.
“So then it takes about a week, five days, for us to get the bacon in,” Patterson tells WGIL. “Then you go to Smithfield on-site and come in and pick up your bacon, and you will have three or four days with which to prepare your item for Friday the 10th.”
You can request a variety of bacon types; applewood, hickory, honey maple, double smoked hickory just to name a few.
She says every year of Baconfest thus far vendors have used at least a half ton of cured pork.
Vendors interested in registering Patterson urges you to either call the Chamber or visit their website.
There’s a $250 entrance fee and then businesses keep all the proceeds that they make.
Organizers started Baconfest in 2015 estimating they could get 500 to attend, but that number turned out to be 1,500. Last year Patterson says over 4,000 attended.
They’ve also seen that people are willing to travel for bacon. In their annual bacon eating contest the winner last year hailed from Peoria.
