Everything’s coming up bacon this Saturday at annual BaconFest fundraiser in O’Fallon
Sugarfire Smoke House is making Armadillo Eggs — filled jalapenos wrapped in pork sausage.
That’s not all with pork fat — they will have bacon-wrapped baked Oreo cookies and bacon-flavored ice cream sandwiches. They are among several local restaurants preparing sizzling offerings at this year’s BaconFest.
Bouncing back after a scaled down version last year and cancellation in 2020, one of the favorite food festivals returns to the O’Fallon VFW Post 805 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at 221 W. First St.
Chairman Marcia Crawford said this year’s event is bigger than ever, with more than 70 vendors — inside and out, with many new food and craft vendors.
“We have more vendors than we have ever had before,” she said. “People get really creative. Nobody seems to overlap — they all have something different.”
She assured people will be in hog heaven with the line-up, especially once the aroma of sizzling bacon wafts through downtown.
“We will celebrate everything bacon. This is the ‘don’t miss’ food event of the year right here in the Downtown District. We have an amazing variety of food vendors with tons of creative ‘bacon-themed’ offerings, live music, street vendors and lots of fun,” Crawford said.
The sixth annual festival is sponsored by the VFW Post 805 Auxiliary in support of local veterans. It is a family-friendly event, and will include kids’ games and activities.
“All funds raised help us support local veterans in need through our efforts at the VFW Post 805 here in O’Fallon,” she said. “Come and help us celebrate the world’s favorite food group: bacon!”
Beforehand, they will start with a 9/11 Commemoration at 9:30 a.m. in the pavilion adjacent to the building.
Then, BaconFest will kick off right afterwards. Two blocks are closed, and the streets are lined with sales and craft vendors. Food vendors must have at least one item with bacon.
Some new food vendors include local small businesses — Sticky Fingers’ homemade maple bacon ice cream, Essence of Pearl catering’s pulled pork sliders and candied bacon, and Sistas’ Pop gourmet butter toffee popcorn will feature a specialty flavor of maple bacon.
Last year’s champ, The Yankee Scone, is bringing back its fan favorite cheddar-bacon scone and waffles with bacon, a breakfast casserole and more.
Other returning vendors are Nitro Salsa, with bacon-wrapped hot dogs and other favorites; and Pitter Pat Candy, with bacon fudge and other sweet treats.
Some tasty bites are not revealed yet — Suga’ Pies, Texas Roadhouse and Beast Craft BBQ Company hasn’t specified its offering, Peel Wood-Fired Pizza is keeping theirs a surprise, and so is Gears, Bar and Café.
“Bike Surgeon’s house bar and café plans on surprising us with cheesy bacon wrapped goodness,” Crawford said.
Lots to do at BaconFest
Wood Bakery will feature maple bacon long john donuts like they have every year since the BaconFest began in 2016.
Organizations involved include the Gothic Lodge 852 — a Masonic Lodge in Fairview Heights — which is bringing back the Baconator and their famous fresh twist fries. The Friends of Scott SCCS Rotary will offer Gus’ pretzels with bacon cheese dip.
Special craft and artisanal vendors will be on hand, too — jewelry, leather, photography, woodworking, laser engraving, beauty products, and so forth.
Art Gecko Creative Studio will have little piggies available to take selfies with at a photo booth; plus they will have paint kits for people to decorate a ceramic pig.
Carnival games will have bacon-themed prizes to win.
As soon as the ceremony ends, Quinten Voss will start BaconFest by playing from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Then, after a short break, Marshall Goodman will play from 1:30-5 p.m.
Dunk tank
City officials and well-known residents also will man a dunk tank. The schedule is as follows:
- 11 a.m. Nathan Parchman: Alderman and owner of Nitro Salsa
- 11:30 a.m. Captain Mike Mojis: O’Fallon Police Department
- 12 p.m. Andrea Fohne: Alderman and Historical Society volunteer.
- 12:30 p.m. Michael Horsey: Mission 2819
- 1 p.m. Steve Bione: First Command financial advisor
- 1:30 p.m. Col. Pauley: O’Fallon JROTC and Brightside Insurance
- 2:30 p.m.: David Stosberg: OTHS teacher.
- 3 p.m. Bruce Veach: Midwest Carpet and Duct Cleaning
- 3:30 p.m. John Nolte: A&J Lawn and More
Last year’s event attracted nine food vendors and 33 others were selling items. They took a vote for favorite use of bacon and The Yankee Scone’s cheddar cheese-bacon scone was the winner.
An opportunity to win a large prize is available. If people get a passport — which is free — they have it initialed by vendors with their business name, and then, when it is full, drop it off at the VFW, and a drawing will take place afterwards.
More about BaconFest
Crawford began working with the Auxiliary 11 years ago, and the BaconFest was born six years ago.
“We wanted to do something different, something other groups don’t do, and people love it. Everybody seems to love bacon,” she said.
The auxiliary membership has turned out to assist during the previous five events, and this sixth one will be no different.
“A lot of our members will be there to help wherever needed,” she said. “This is a family-friendly event.”
For more information, or to see a list of sponsors and vendors, visit the website: www.vfwbaconfest.com/.
Crawford can be reached at vfwpost805baconfest@gmail.com. People can follow them on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/vfwpost805baconfest.
