More than 15,000 people are expected to ‘bring home the bacon’ after visiting the south-east Queensland town of Kingaroy in August.
Kingaroy BaconFest, a celebration of all things pork, will be held from August 20-22 and organisers are expecting a ‘pigger’ than ever turnout to enjoy the annual event in the South Burnett town.
After last year’s virtual event, Chief Baconeer Kristy Board said BaconFest would be back with renewed energy and vigour and was expecting to host travellers from far and wide.
Ms Board said she was particularly excited about this year’s headliner, celebrity chef, Miguel Maestre, who’s set to cook up a storm with a number of demonstrations over the course of the weekend.
“In addition, we’ll have past favourites including the Wine and Swine evening event, Long Table Breakfast, food and local producers’ market, BaconFest Pinup Pageant and Beard of BaconFest competition, a bacon eating competition, live music and much more,” she said.
The festival is also host to the SunPork Smoke-Off, an official round of the Australasian Barbecue Alliance Championship Series. About 40 teams from across Australia are expected to battle it out over a hot grill.
Major sponsor SunPork Fresh Foods has contributed $35,000 to this year’s event, as well as providing meat for the Wine & Swine event, Long Table breakfast and around 100kg of bacon.
Ms Board said while some elements of the festival have been more complex to organise this year, the event would deliver a COVID-safe celebration of bacon.
“We’ll be putting a number of precautionary measures in place, including sanitising stations and extra cleaning services.
“As a result, we’ll be charging a small entry fee this year and asking bacon lovers to pre-purchase their tickets online.”
General admission tickets for the festival will cost $6 for one day or $10 for two; $3 children 5-18 and concessions ($4 for two days); family pass for 2 adults and 2 children $15 for one day or $25 for two.
Pig farming is one of the South Burnett’s biggest industries and Kingaroy is home to the Swicker’s Bacon Factory, the largest pig processing plant in the southern hemisphere, owned by SunPork Fresh Foods.
“BaconFest is a great way to put the spotlight on our hard-working farmers, to showcase top quality South Burnett produce and to help raise money for local charity,” said Ms Broad.
“This year’s festival will once again be a bacon-lover’s dream come true.”
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.kingaroybaconfest.com.au
Kingaroy BaconFest is supported by SunPork Fresh Foods and funded by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal in partnership with the Australian Government. The event is also supported by the Queensland Government through its Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar.
