17th Annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival “The Bacon Boat"

The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival is celebrating its 17th anniversary on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 with a yacht rock / cruise-themed bacon extravaganza inside the Agricultural Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The event will feature unlimited bacon samples for attendees, food vendors selling bacon delicacies, live music, silent disco, the renowned bacon eating contest and other Yacht Rockin’ surprises.

”The 17th annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival - The Bacon Boat, will pay homage to the smooth Yacht Rock sounds of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s with Southern California based Yachty by Nature headlining” Said Brooks Reynolds, Founder of the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival.“

This year’s musical headliner that will be rocking the Main Stage will be, Yachty by Nature, The Sheet, and The Unfortunate Sons.

“The Iowa State Fairgrounds is excited to host the 17th Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival once again and be the home of one of the oldest and largest bacon festivals in the world.” Said Jeremy Parsons, CEO of the Iowa State Fair. “We look forward to converting the Agricultural Building into The Bacon Boat in May.”

There will be a wide array of Bacon samples from purveyors including:

• Berkwood Farms
• Des Moines Bacon Company
• Brunson Bacon Company

Numerous Food Vendors will serve up delicious Bacon-inspired delights including:

• Campbell's Concessions
• JR’s Southpork Ranch
• BW Outdoors
• Hotel Luna Food Truck
• Jethro’s BBQ
• The Bacon Box
• Cochon Cannery
• Chocolate Storybook

The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival will also feature themed bars with craft cocktails and a wide assortment of ice cold beer and other beverages to wash down all of the delicious bacon.*Must be 21 years of age to enter the event. No refunds

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, United States