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Photo provided to TVL by PA Bacon Fest
EASTON, Pa. – It’s time again to get ready to pig out and go hog wild: PA Bacon Fest (#pabaconfest) returns to Downtown Easton Nov. 5-6 for its 11th year as one of the most highly regarded food festivals in the mid-Atlantic region.
Named one of the country’s “5 Can’t Miss Bacon Festivals” (Parade.com) and one of the top 300 festivals in the world (Fest300.com), PA Bacon Fest (PABF) features an incredible food lineup, more than 140 vendors, 50 types of bacon, and a jam-packed schedule of live music, hog-calling and bacon contests.
More than just a delicious weekend, PABF is also a fundraiser for the nonprofit Greater Easton Development Partnership. Volunteers at the gates will ask for a $2 donation for the nonprofit. Proceeds from the event support free concerts and programming throughout the year in Easton, such as Easton Out Loud, Live at the Falls, and many other events that make Easton a wonderful place to live and to visit. Those who donate will receive a raffle ticket to win prize baskets including Lehigh Valley IronPigs tickets, gifts from Easton merchants and PABF merch.
The food
From salty to sweet, PA Bacon Fest serves up bacon like you’ve never seen or tasted it. Sandwiches include the famously decadent 50/50 burger (half beef, half bacon) from Three Oak Steakhouse and a bacon meatloaf sandwich from Porter’s Pub. There are international interpretations: a bacon tikka burger from Aman’s Indian Bistro, Quesabirria tacos and elote with bacon from Hacienda Los Agaves, and a Korean boneless pork shank sandwich from Two Rivers Brewing. That’s on top of other pork specialties like sausages, barbecue and pork belly in addition to dozens of desserts that feature bacon in starring and supporting roles. (Several vendors are offering vegan and gluten-free offerings as well.) Libations and beverages will be available throughout the festival.
Stop by the Breakaway Farms stand to pick up bacon to take home. Farmer Nate will offer up to 50 varieties of bacon to celebrate the 11th anniversary. Find the full list of foods and vendors at pabaconfest.com/hog-wild-eats.
The music
The festival features four stages with a jam-packed schedule of entertainment both days of the festival. From classic rock to bluegrass, pop to country, this year’s festival has more than 20 different entertainers with something for everyone. Find the full lineup at pabaconfest.com/music-lineup.
Chefs to compete in the Bacon Battle
Watch the 11th Annual Bacon Battle presented by Highmark Farmstand and Easton Farmers’ Market (2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, free) Local chefs vie for the 2022 Baconator title as they cook their way through a mystery bag of ingredients and pasture-raised bacon from Breakaway Farms. One lucky audience member will be picked to serve as judge. Chef Brad Shive of Grille 3501 was the 2021 winner. He’ll defend his title against Abe Lopez of Stoke Coal Fire Pizza and Esteban Morales, Food Service Director at Riverton Rehabilitation and Healthcare
Activities
- Bacon & Brew Tasting (Noon – 4 p.m. while supplies last, Saturday and Sunday, $25 per person, tickets purchased on-site) A match made in Easton! Guests over the age of 21 can sample six Two Rivers Brewing Company beers paired with six specialty varieties of bacon from Breakaway Farms. Buy tickets ahead of time for the VIP hour (11 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday, $35, on sale now at pabaconfest.com/activities/bacon-brew) and receive a PABF tankard.
- Family-friendly performances and activities in the Family Fun Zone sponsored by Godshall’s include a bungee jump ($9), rock climbing wall ($6), face painting (free), balloon creations and animals (free) and the Mascot Dash sponsored by Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday)
- Pig and wiener dog races (11 a.m., Noon, 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, free)
- Pigskin Lounge (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday) Escape the crowd, grab a beer and watch the football game.
- Bacon Costume Contest sponsored by Liberty Creek Wines (1:30-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, free, register on-site 15 minutes prior) Prizes will be given to best-dressed adult, kid and pup.
- Hog-Calling Contest (2-2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, free, register on-site 15 minutes prior) Prizes will be awarded to best adult and best child.
- Bacon-Eating Contest sponsored by Two Rivers Brewing (12-12:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, free, register on site 15 minutes prior, 18+ only)
- Racin’ Bacon 5K (9 a.m. Sunday, Riverside Park, pre-registration required, pabaconfest.com/activities/racin-bacon-5k) Runners try to pass three mascot pigs as they race, with the promise of beer and bacon at the finish line.
New in 2022 is a lactation station for nursing mothers in the lounge of The Sigal Museum (342 Northampton St.) during all hours of the festival.
More about the festival and its activities can be found at pabaconfest.com/activities.
Getting here
Save time and get right to the festival in downtown Easton by using the Bacon Shuttle. Locations: William Penn Highway Park & Ride on Emrick Boulevard, Braden Airpark (3800 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township) and Northampton County Courthouse (669 Washington St., Easton). Parking at the shuttle lots is cash only and costs $20 per car, $50 per small shuttle bus and $100 per large bus. Shuttles will run approximately every 15-45 minutes throughout the festival.
Parking will also be available at the City of Easton Pine Street Parking Garage and City of Easton South Third Street Parking Garage. ADA parking is available at both garages. Parking at all city garages will be available for a $20 flat fee cash only all day. Be aware: the garages fill up quickly.
PABF visitors can use pedal power and ride bicycles to the festival, utilizing bike racks throughout the city (bring your own lock).
Sponsors make it happen
PA Bacon Fest wouldn’t be possible without the help of our 2022 sponsors, including; IBEW Local 102, Breakaway Farms, Godshall’s, Service Electric, Two Rivers Brewing Company, ULINE, Liberty Creek, Deiter Bros, ProMedica, City of Easton, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Wawa, NCC Nursing, Green Mountain Energy, Blackman’s, Sundance Vacations, SpotOn, Power, Keystone Harley-Davidson, The Restaurant Store, Unity Bank and nrg.
Social media
#PABaconFest
Instagram.com/Pabaconfest
Facebook.com/PaBaconFest
Twitter: @PABaconFest
About and history
PA Bacon Fest is a fundraiser for Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP). It grew out of a special event hosted by Easton Farmers’ Market — America’s oldest, continuous open-air market, established in 1752. GEDP is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization focused on nurturing Easton’s economic well-being and cultural vibrancy. It encompasses Easton Farmers’ Market, Easton Main Street Initiative, Easton Public Market, Easton Ambassadors and PA Bacon Fest. For more information, contact Executive Director Jared Mast at 610-250-2078 or jared@eastonpartnership.org. Visit us online at eastonpartnership.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Drabenstott (for GEDP)
Drabenstott Communications Group
