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EASTON, Pa. – Bacon Lovers Unite: a ‘Crispy Revolution’ returns to Downtown Easton Nov. 4-5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, for its 12th year as one of the most highly anticipated food festivals in the mid-Atlantic region: PA Bacon Fest (#pabaconfest)! #SwineAndDine
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 endless variety of bacon-infused and inspired dishes; some savory or sweet, but all crunchy and oh-so-tasty! Over 140 vendors come together to showcase their culinary creativity and innovative concoctions using the headlining ingredient.
From bacon-wrapped delicacies to bacon-studded desserts, the event brings flavor and excitement to the Easton every year with a jam-packed schedule of live music, hog-calling, costumes, demonstrations, cook-offs, activities, races, bacon eating contests and more.
As a beloved tradition beyond the Lehigh Valley, PABF is also a fundraiser for the nonprofit Greater Easton Development Partnership. Volunteers at the gates will ask for a $5 donation for the nonprofit. Proceeds from the event support free events and programming throughout the year in Easton, such as Fourth Fridays, Live at the Falls (Summer Concert Series), West Ward Market, 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. Festival goers may also purchase additional raffle tickets for a boosted advantage!
As a platform to support local businesses and artisans, a wide audience of locals and visitors alike gravitate to the heart of Centre Square to experience a true extravaganza, celebrating community, fostering Easton’s culinary heritage, and bringing all together for a shared love of the simple joys of bacon.
Main Attraction: BACON
Drawing massive crowds year after year, PA Bacon Fest serves up a bacon bash like you’ve never seen or tasted it; mouthwatering bacon in all its glorious forms. Sandwiches include the famously decadent 50/50 burger (half beef, half bacon) from Three Oak Steakhouse and a pork belly cinnamon roll with maple bacon bourbon BBQ sauce from Lehigh Valley Barbeque. There are international interpretations: a bacon tikka burger from Aman’s Indian Bistro, bacon waffle topped with bacon brittle and sweet butter from Two Rivers Brewing. That’s on top of other pork specialties like sausages, barbecue and pork belly in addition to peanut butter bacon brownie bites and 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. The spirit of bacon is contagious and Easton has the only cure!
The Music: Get Piggy With It
The festival features five stages with a full-fledged schedule of entertainment. With local bands and musical acts keeping the streets lively with performances throughout the weekend. From classic rock to bluegrass, pop to country, this year’s festival has more than 30 different entertainers guaranteed to leave families squealing with delight. Find the full lineup at pabaconfest.com/music-lineup.
Chefs to Compete in a Sizzling Showdown
Saturday, 2 p.m. Swine Showdown – Home Cooks
We’re bringing back the amateurs! Watch three talented home cooks bring home the bacon in this swine-filled showdown that includes lots of culinary trivia and fun prizes for the audience.
Contestants will cook their way through a mystery bag of fresh ingredients from the Easton Public Market – and a pound of pasture-raised bacon from Breakaway Farms. The winning cook will receive a $100 gift card to the Easton Public Market!
Sunday, 2 p.m. Bacon Battle – Professional Chefs
Watch reigning champion Abe Lopez, Executive Chef of Stoke Coal Fire Pizza & Bar battle two professional chefs for the title of 2023 BACONATOR. Cheer on these three award-winning chefs as they demonstrate their culinary chops and cook their way through a mystery bag of fresh ingredients from the Easton Public Market – and a pound of pasture-raised bacon from Breakaway Farms. Expect a few twists and turns along the way, and lots of culinary trivia and prizes for the audience. Plus one lucky audience member will be selected to serve as a guest judge!
Activities: Never Be Boar-ed
- Bacon & Brew Tasting (Noon – 4 p.m. while supplies last, Saturday and Sunday, $30 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, $40, on sale now at pabaconfest.com/activities/bacon-brew) and receive a PABF tankard and enjoy two additional pairings!
- Family-friendly performances and activities in the Family Fun Zone sponsored by Godshall’s include a bungee jump ($12), rock climbing wall ($8), face painting (free), balloon creations and animals (free).
- 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 on our 15’ LED screen!
- Bacon Costume Contest (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 sponsored by Moe’s Southwest Grille (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 Peoples First Credit Union (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 (don’t worry, they’re not real pigs) as they race, with the promise of beer and bacon at the finish line.
After successful feedback from last year’s introduction, our friends from The Sigal Museum (342 Northampton St.) are again offering a private lounge during all hours of the event for all moms who will need to nurse and/or pump so they may continue to enjoy the full day of festivities.
Aman’s will be hosting the first ever Mocktail bar.
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 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 2023 sponsors, including;IBEW Local 102
Bulleit Bourbon, Godshall’s, Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), LVHN, People First Federal Credit Union, WXPN, Service Electric, WFMZ, Eight O’Clock Coffee, Moe’s Southwest Grille, Two Rivers Brewing, Wawa, Green Mountain Energy, NRG Home, Guinness, Power Home Remodeling, Blackmans Cycle, T-Mobile, Deiter Brothers, Carrie’s Smoke Shop, Unity Bank, Werley Heating & Air Conditioning, Martin Guitar.
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 in major popularity 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:
Jessica Ferrara
Communications Media Manager
Greater Easton Development Partnership
