Ozarks Bacon Fest a sizzling celebration

The creativity at Ozarks Bacon Fest — which is a salute to bacon, bourbon and beer — is incredible, said Larry Krauk, event director for KOLR10, which puts on the bacon-lover’s festival.

You might sample chocolate-dipped bacon, brownies with bacon, bacon-wrapped dates, bacon-flavored popcorn with bacon bits, and even chicken fried bacon, which is battered and fried.

As for the beer, there will be 50 to 60 craft and microbrews to try.

“And between vodka, bourbon, and moonshine, there will be 15 to 20 brands of that you can sample as well,” said Krauk, including bacon-infused spirits. “Once you buy the admission ticket, you don’t have to buy anything else. Everything else is provided.”

The third annual Ozarks Bacon Fest is from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in the E-Plex. This is a 21-and-older event and IDs must be shown at the door. Tickets are $30.

VIP tickets are $45 get you in an hour early at 11 a.m. for an extra hour of samples, live music and coupons.

During Bacon Fest, people can sample an array of bacon, brews and bourbon. The festival includes everything from national brands to artisan bacon makers and local products.

And don’t forget the bacon eating contest at 1 p.m. where contestants have 2 minutes to stuff 1.5 pounds of bacon in their mouths.

To enter the contest, people need to apply online in advance, but there is always someone who doesn’t show up and so a contestant gets pulled from the crowd, Krauk said.

The bacon will range from chewy to crispy, from regular to applewood smoked, and both men and woman compete in the bacon-eating frenzy.

Vendors include everyone from local operations like Pappo’s Pizzeria, The Order and Mother’s Brewing Co. to national restaurants like Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Panera Bread.

Many of the restaurants participating will have something that is not on the regular menu to help showcase the creativity of their chefs, he said. Panera Bread Co., actually challenges its employees to come up with the most creative bacon product.

The restaurants are competing for cash prizes.

In addition, there will be vendor booths at the event selling everything from chocolate to spices and funny clothing.

Krauk envisioned Bacon Fest a few years ago inspired by his love for bacon, bourbon and beer and he’s obviously not alone. The event has been successful.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” said Krauk.

Want to go?

Ozarks Bacon Fest, a salute to bacon, bourbon and beer, is from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in the E-Plex. Tickets are $30; VIP tickets are $45 and get you in an hour early (at 11 a.m.). The event will showcase a variety of bacon products and samples, beer and bourbon samples. This is a 21-and-older event and IDs must be shown to get in. There will be live music during the festival. There’s a bacon eating contest. For more information: http://ozarksbaconfest.com/