PA Bacon Fest Returns for its 10th Year

PA Bacon Fest Returns for its 10th Year

Get ready to go hog wild: PA Bacon Fest (PABF) returns to Downtown Easton Nov. 6-7 for its 10th year.

It’s been 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). This year’s festival features an incredible food lineup, more than 100 vendors, 50 types of bacon, and a jam-packed schedule of live music, hog-calling and bacon contests. 

But more than just a delicious weekend, PA Bacon Fest 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 a prize donated by an Easton business.

The food

From salty to sweet, PA Bacon Fest is serving up bacon like you’ve never seen it. Bacon Sticky Buns, Bacon Pop Tarts, Bacon Cannoli and that 50/50 Burger are just some of the must-trys this year. Stop by the Breakaway Farms stands to pick up bacon to take home. Farmer Nate will offer up to 50 varieties to celebrate the 10th 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 something for everyone. Find the full lineup at pabaconfest.com/music-lineup.

The ‘can’t-miss’ activities

  • Bacon & Brew Tasting (Noon – 4 p.m. while supplies last, Saturday and Sunday, $20 per person, tickets purchased on-site) Guests over the age of 21 can sample six Weyerbacher beers paired with six specialty varieties of bacon from Breakaway Farms. Buy your tickets ahead of time for the VIP hour (11 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday, $25, on sale now at pabaconfest.com/activities/bacon-brew) and receive a PABF pub glass.
  • Pig and Weiner Dog races presented by The Morning Call (11 a.m., Noon, 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, FREE)
  • Pigskin Lounge presented by Sugardale (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday) Escape the crowd, grab a beer and watch the football game.
  • *NEW* Cheek to Cheek Challenge (11 a.m. Saturday) Local chefs will participate in a contest showcasing the whole hog.
  • All Shook Up: The Bacon, Banana and Peanut Butter Sandwich Showdown presented by the Highmark Farmstand (2 p.m. Saturday) An Elvis impersonator will be on hand for this sandwich showdown, with three lucky audience members picked as the guest judges. Audience members can get selfies with Elvis, try their skills at Elvis trivia and win great prizes.
  • 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 (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.
  • 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.
  • Bacon Battle presented by Easton Farmers’ Market (2 p.m. Sunday, FREE) Local chefs vie for the 2021 Baconator title as they cook their way through a mystery bag of ingredients – and a pound of pasture-raised bacon from Breakaway Farms. One lucky audience member will be picked to serve as judge.
  • Bacon-Eating Contest presented by Sugardale (12-12:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, FREE, register on site 15 minutes prior)
  • Family-Friendly Performances (throughout the festival) Piglets Stage will offer family-friendly programming including a family comedy show, live music and more throughout the weekend. 

More about the festival and its activities can be found at pabaconfest.com/activities.

Parking & Safety

Save time and get right to the festival by using the Bacon Shuttle. This year, masks are required on all bacon shuttles, and a third shuttle lot has been added at William Penn Highway Park & Ride on Emrick Boulevard. Shuttle lots will also be located at Braden Airpark (3800 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township) and Northampton County Courthouse (669 Washington St., Easton). Parking at the shuttle lots will cost $10 per car, $5 per motorcycle or $5 for those who walk to the lot but wish to ride the shuttle to the festival. Shuttles will run approximately every 15-45 minutes throughout the festival. 

Parking will also be available but fills up fast 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 lots will be available for a $20 flat fee all day.

PABF visitors can use their pedal power and ride their bicycles to the festival, utilizing bike racks throughout the city (bring your own lock). 

PA Bacon Fest will continue to monitor and respond accordingly to the guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, CDC and local officials leading up to and during the event. Here are a few things we’re doing at this year’s outdoor festival:

  • Requiring masks on all shuttles.
  • Adding hand sanitizer stations throughout the festival grounds.
  • Having masks available at our entrance gates, shuttle stops and Info Tent for those who forgot theirs and would like one.
  • Encouraging guests to visit during the first few hours when it tends to be less crowded.

Learn more about our 2021 safety and wellness procedures at pabaconfest.com/festival-info/what-to-expect.

PA Bacon Fest wouldn’t be possible without the help of our 2021 sponsors, including; Sugardale, IBEW Local 102, City of Easton, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Breakaway Farms, The Morning Call, Amazon Fresh, Beyond/Hello, C&S Wholesale Grocers, FastSigns of Easton, Green Mountain Energy, Keystone Harley Davidson, NRG, Phillips Pet Food & Supplies, Power Home Remodeling, RCN, Rely Security Co., Sundance Vacations, Thrivent, Unity Bank and Weyerbacher Brewing.