15 years of bacon & beers

Through the years, the BRB Festival has seen some brilliant themes— from Bacon Odyssey to Bacon Gras. But, folks, we’re bringing it back to the basics: Bacon and Beer. The ultimate duo. You best prepare yourself for the plentitude of tempting bacon dishes, the steady flow of beer, the enthralling entertainment and competitions, and the party of a lifetime!  

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May 12-13, 2023

Friday May 12th, 4:00-10:00pm and Saturday May 13th, 12:00-10:00pm
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Come for the bacon, stay for the music.

This weekend offers a smokin’ rock and country music lineup.

bacon
MAIN STAGE
Bill Riley Stage
Enjoy national touring acts all weekend on the main stage.
Friday
4:00p
Tyler Richton and the High Bank Boys
5:45p
Bacon Queen Pageant Preview
6:00p
Outlaw Apostles
7:30p
Bacon Queen Pageant
8:15p
Free Fallin - A tribute to Tom Petty
Saturday
2:15p
River City All Stars
3:30p
Damon Dotson Band
5:15p
Bacon Eating Contest
6:15p
Freddy Jones Band
8:15p
The Samples
bacon
LOCAL STAGE
JR's SouthPork Ranch
See your favorite locally-based acts showcased at JR’s Stage.
Friday
4:00p
Eli Alger
5:30p
Owen Justice
7:00p
Royce Johns
8:30p
Casey Muessigmann Trio
6-10p
Silent Disco
Saturday
1:00p
The Baberhood Bluegrass Band
3:00p
Tony Bohnekamp
4:00p
Bacon lecture: Iowa Bacon Basics
5:00p
The Sheet
7:00p
The Snacks
4-10p
Silent Disco

"That's too much bacon" said no-one ever.

All-in-one, tasty fun

Ranging from sweet to savory, make the most of your experience and try these sizzling bacon dishes. Check out the full menu here.

View all
jrs southpork ranch bacon pickle mac and cheese
Bacon Pickle Mac
A family favorite with a Western twist. Shells noodles smothered in bacon and dill pickle cheese sauce topped with more crumbled bacon and chopped pickles.
JR's SouthPork Ranch
jrs pork belly burnt ends sandwich
Pork Belly Burnt Ends Sandwich
Hardworking Ranch Hands devour these smoked pork belly burnt ends with Carolina-style BBQ sauce and battered onion rings atop a fresh brioche bun.
JR's SouthPork Ranch
campbells concessions corndog
Double Bacon Wrapped Corndog
Need a break from bacon? There will also be a good old fashioned corn dog, sans bacon.
Campbell's Concessions
gusto pizza
6° of Kevin Bacon
Bacon pizza
Gusto Pizza
Bacon Ball
Details coming soon
The Bacon Box
Muddy Pigs
Sweet, salty and chocolately
chocolate storybook

2023 Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival Map

Iowa State Fairgrounds

Find this year’s bacon bash at the Iowa State Fairgrounds at JR’s SouthPork Ranch, the Bill Riley stage and the surrounding area. Detailed map and parking information coming soon.

Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival

How deep is your love for bacon?

Ages 21+. Tickets for Baconfest will be available exclusively on the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival website starting December 20th. The $45 general admission ticket includes, 2 days of bacon, live entertainment, and all the bacon samples your heart desires.

Want to really prove your love for bacon? Upgrade and go all in with VIP!

Saturday VIP & VIP tables sold out.

GENERAL ADMISSION
$45/2 day
or $25 for a Friday Ticket
or $25 for a Saturday Ticket
Includes:
Entry into festival grounds
Free bacon samples
Live music from 15+ bands
2 food vouchers per day
buy now
VIP ADMISSION
$90/2 day
or $50 for Friday Ticket
or $50 for Saturday Ticket
All general plus:
Entry into festival grounds
Free bacon samples
Live music from 15+ bands
Access to VIP bars
5 food vouchers per day
1 drink voucher per day
Skip the line at check-in
buy now
VIP TABLE
$1,000
/2 day
or $600 for Friday ticket
or $600 for Saturday ticket
Includes:
8 tickets/day into festival grounds
Table near Bill Riley Stage
Free bacon samples
Live music from 15+ bands
Access to VIP bars
40 food vouchers/2 day or 20/1 day
8 drink vouchers total
Skip the line at check-in
buy now

Baconfest Contests

Events, entertainment, bacon, oh my! From iconic Bacon Eating contests to finding our next Bacon Queen, this all-encompassing 2-day event has something for every bacon lover.

Bacon Queen Contest

Get ready for the official Bacon Queen Pageant held on the first day of Baconfest. Watch as 3 selected contestants show their quick wit and gripping talent. Want to become the next Bacon Queen? Impress the Iowa Bacon Royalty Judging Panel and you could be next in line to reign! Sign up early. Pre-register for this event online.

enterpast winners
Bacon Eating Contest

Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the hungriest of them all? The Bacon Eating Contest is the most popular event of the weekend and anyone can participate in this speed eating contest. Pre-register for this event online. We guarantee you won’t walk away hungry.

enterpast winners
"My favorite time of the year!! Baconfest is a one of a kind event, amazing food, great entertainment, so much to see and do. Not a dull moment! These guys know how to represent bacon well and show it a good time!! Love, love, love!"

Lindsay G.

"5 years ago in Feb will be our wedding anniversary at Baconfest. Wonderful people and fun times."

Tricia W.

"Bacon, Booze, Babes & a ton of fun. One must go and experience it to understand bacon fest!"

Keith M.

"Bacon fellowship, creative recipes from the vendors, variety of entertainment, a real fun atmosphere!"

Michael D.

presenting sponsor

gold Ribbon Sponsors

Blue Ribbon Sponsors

Red Ribbon Sponsors

white Ribbon Sponsors

Beer Can Alley
BettorView
VERO Chiropratic
Image Solutions
NB Golf Cars

15 years of bacon & beers

The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival is returning for its 15th year on May 12-13, 2023!
Find this year’s bacon bash at the Iowa State Fair grounds at the legendary JR’s SouthPork Ranch. JR’s is owned and operated by homegrown Iowans who share a fierce lovin’ of bacon and community.

Through the years, the BRB Festival has seen some brilliant themes— from Bacon Odyssey to Bacon Gras. But, folks, we’re bringing it back to the basics: Bacon and Beer. The ultimate duo. You best prepare yourself for the plentitude of tempting bacon dishes, the steady flow of beer, the enthralling entertainment and competitions, and the party of a lifetime!  

get tickets