`15th Annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival “Bacon and Beer!”

Iowa’s most popular bacon festival will celebrate its 15th anniversary at the Iowa State Fairgrounds with bacon eating contests and live entertainment

The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival will celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2023 as it returns to Des Moines, IA for another year of bacon-centered festivities. Taking place on May 12-13, 2023, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival is a two-day celebration complete with live entertainment, competitive events, and a plethora of sizzling bacon.

The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival held its first event in 2008 at El Bait Shop in Des Moines, IA with nearly 200 bacon enthusiasts attending. In the last 15 years, the popular festival has flourished into a worldwide celebration with over 40 events held across the globe and more than 250,000 guests attending. With past events hosted in Iceland, Japan, Colorado, Minnesota, Idaho, Arizona, Las Vegas, and Kansas City, the festival always enjoys returning to its Iowa roots.

The 2023 festival will make its way back to the Iowa State Fairgrounds centering itself around JR’s SouthPork Ranch and the historic Bill Riley Stage. Guests can expect a wealth of mouthwatering food vendors, bacon purveyors, craft breweries, and specialty cocktail bars.

“The Iowa State Fair is excited to have the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival return to the fairgrounds,” said Gary Slater, Iowa State Fair CEO. “The festival has really grown over the years. It’s fun for us to see the bacon lovers of Iowa gather every year for a few playful bacon-filled days.”

The 15th Anniversary Blue Ribbon Bacon festival will showcase bacon from Berkwood Farms, Des Moines Bacon Company, City Meat Market, Godshall’s and other local favorites. The much-anticipated menu items will be curated by the culinary team at Greek House Chefs (JR’s Southpork Ranch’s partner), as well as offerings by Gusto Pizza Company, El Guapo’s, BW Outdoors, Campbell’s Concessions, Chocolate Storybook, and Bacon Box.

“I can’t believe what started at El Bait Shop 15 years ago has become a global juggernaut that has touched the stomachs of so many,” said Brook Reynolds, Co-Founder of the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival. “We hope that the BRBF and our constellation of other events will be going strong for the next 15 years and beyond.”

Friday night’s entertainment will include a variety of music performances by Tyler Richon and the High Bank Boys, the Outlaw Apostles, and Iowa’s own Jay Allen––who was recently featured on NBC’s The Voice––will be headlining.

Scheduled for Saturday night’s live entertainment, the festival welcomes to the stage the River City All Stars and Damon Dotson Band. Headlining the evening will be the reggae influenced rock band, The Samples.

*Must be 21 years of age to enter the event. No refunds

Host or Publisher Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival