Monmouth, Illinois - Monmouth Business Council and Smithfield Foods, along with Cloverleaf Cold Storage will be hosting its first annual BaconFest Friday, August 7, 2015 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Monmouth's Public Square. Numerous food vendors from Monmouth will be serving tapas-style bacon creations, with dishes that include bacon-crusted sirloin bites, bacon cupcakes, sweet and spicy bacon sliders, candied bacon, spicy bacon mix, and bacon and cheese puffs. All food will be available at $3 a plate.
Food vendors come from a 60-mile radius and include : DJ & Son Woodfire Grill, Knox County Pork Producers, Cerar's Barnstormer, Petey's, Johnny's Steakhouse, Bijou Pub, Danny's Tap, Alfano's, The Kitchen, Sparky's Smoke Shack, Green Bay Bar and Grill, and Sween Intentions by the Morgans. All of the vendors have been provided a variety of bacon by Smithfield Foods and have been encouraged to expand their creativity to create tastes that please a variety of pallets.
A competition will be held and trophies provided by Achievement Industries will be given for "Judges Choice-Best in Show," and "Audience Choice-Best in Show."
In addition to sizzling bacon treats, Monmouth's DeNovo Beers and G&M will be present, serving a variety of cold beer and soda. Entertainment includes Tennessee's music sensation Blue Mother Tupelo from 6-8 p.m. Blue Mother Tupelo's soulful sound has shared shows and stage with many wonderfully gifted and successful recording and touring artists.
"Bacon 'n Play" will be hosted by the Buchannan Center for the Arts in the public square's southwest quadrant. Activities include : piglet snout creations, bacon flags, sidewalk chalk art, face painting, and story hour. Brain games and bacon swag will also be available for winning and/or purchase.
Entry for this family-welcoming event is free, with minimal pricing on food and drinks. "We wanted to do something that was really different and really fun for Monmouth and surrounding communities," said Paul Schuytema, director of economic development for the City of Monmouth. "A great deal of work has been put into this by a number of community leaders. We know that this will be an event that everyone continues to look forward to every year."
For more information on BaconFest 2015, contact Paul Schuytema at paul.schuytema@cityofmonmouth.com or 309.734.2141.
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